The newfound confidence of the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Lady Maroons vanished as they plunged into a 32-point deficit against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses, 40-72, in the second round of the UAAP Season 82 Women’s Basketball Tournament today at QPAV, UST.
Coming from a fairytale victory, the winning tempo of the Lady Maroons was short-lived as they sink to a 1-9 win-loss record.
Reigning UAAP Player of the Week Pesky Pesquera towed the State U in defeat, finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals. Erica Gusilatar and Lulu Ordoveza followed with nine and six markers, respectively.
State U found themselves trailing in the opening quarter, only scoring eight field goals against UST’s 18.
Pesquera and Ordoveza lifted the Maroons in the second frame, adding nine points for UP from two field goals, two free throws and a trey, but the Tigresses did not look back, blasting 20 baskets to end the halftime, 17-38.
The momentum stayed with the España-based squad in the third frame as they exploded for another 20 points, led by Grace Irebu who topped all scorers with 15 points. Gusilatar was the Lady Maroons’ sole scorer, chipping in two treys and a free throw, 24-58.
The lead also ballooned to 46 in the fourth canto before Pesquera, Gusilatar and Phia Rivera rallied for 14 points to no avail, closing the match at 40-72 in favor of the Tigresses.
Questionable calls and uncalled fouls in the second half forced Head Coach Paul Ramos to confront the referee late in the fourth quarter, resulting in a technical foul on the tactician.
However, the lackluster performance reflected in the paper as Lady Maroons struggled offensively and defensively, recording 46 turnovers and converting only a tenth of UST’s 20 fastbreak points.
The Lady Maroons look for a better outing on Sunday as they go against the Adamson University (AdU) at Ynares Center Antipolo.
QUARTER SCORES: 8-18, 17-38, 24-58, 40-72.
