Lady Archers rout Lady Bulldogs to get UAAP finals opener

MANILA, Philippines– La Salle blasted a hapless National University, 72-48, Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena and moved to within a win of ending a 13-year title drought in the UAAP women’s basketball finals.

After a tight first two quarters, the Lady Archers poured it all in the final half and they get a chance to wrap it all up on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

La Salle stepped on the pedal most especially in the payoff period where it scattered 22 points and limited the Lady Bulldogs to just seven.

Ara Abaca had a double-double game of 16 points and 11 rebounds while Trisha Piatos added 15 markers and six boards for the Lady Archers.

“It was a great defensive effort on our part. Going into this game, NU is the No. 1 offensive team,” head coach Tyrone Bautista said. “Mindset kasi ng mga players ko na mas diinan (defense) namin sa second half [It’s my players’ mindset to press in the second half]. That’s what we did.”

The scores:

DLSU 72—Abaca 16, Piatos 15, Santos 11, Garcia 11, Ramos 8, Claro 7, Ong A. 2, Corcuerra 2, Scott 0, Revillosa 0, Oyao 0, Ong M. 0, Melendres 0.

NU 48—Gupilan 15, Abriam 8, Escoto 6, Bernardino 5, Tongco 3, Sison 2, Paig 2, Malana 2, Maghibon 2, Antiquiera 2, Seno 1, Ross 0, Cenarosa 0, Bonleon 0.

Quarters: 15-14, 33-27, 50-41, 72-48.