27 July 2014, 1:00 p.m. – LORE Rivera’s fourth quarter heroics were not enough as the UST Growling Tigresses fell short against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 56-57, in the first round of the UAAP Season 77 women’s basketball tournament at the Blue Eagle gym, Sunday.
The loss was UST’s third in four games.
Rivera registered 12 of the Tigresses’ 14 fourth-quarter points, including an and-one play that put them on top, 54-53, with 3:34 remaining.
But Tamaraw Angel Arellano converted on a fastbreak play to regain the lead for FEU in the last two minutes, 57-56.
The Tigresses then missed several baskets and committed late turnovers allowing FEU to hold on for the win.
“We struggled in the second half. We could not find someone who could finish the game. The veterans should step up,” said a disappointed UST head coach Chris Cantonjos.
With UST ahead by two entering the second half, the Lady Tamaraws dropped a 9-4 bomb midway through the third quarter to take a five-point lead, 41-36, with 2:39 left in the period.
Kristine Siapoc nailed a three-pointer to keep UST in the game, 42-43.
UST had a good second quarter with Kim Reyes and Rivera teaming up to give the Tigresses a 27-19 spread before FEU rallied back to trim the lead to two, 27-29, at the break.
Rivera led the Tigresses with 17 points and 12 rebounds while Kim Reyes added 12 baskets.
Arellano had a game-high 23 markers for FEU.
The UST Tigresses will try to bounce back against the UP Lady Maroons on August 3, 11 a.m., at the Blue Eagle gym. K. C. G. Basco
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BOX SCORES:
UST 56 – Rivera 17, Reyes 12, Siapoc 8, Angeles 6, Felisarta 5, Cortes 4, Peñaflor 4
FEU 57 – Arellan0 23, Valenzoha 7, Castro 6, Baldonado 5, Siat 4, Venturas 4, Lozano 4, Tanaman 2, Chan 2
Quarter scores: 16-12, 29-27, 42-44, 56-57
