UP Lady Maroons. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—University of the Philippines couldn’t have written a better script to change a losing narrative which had been the team’s story in UAAP women’s basketball for the past three years.
Pat Pesquera hit a halfcourt heave at the buzzer to shoot the Lady Maroons past University of the East, 55-52, and end a 38-game losing skid in the UAAP Season 82 women’s basketball tournament Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
“The right word is its a miracle and it’s really a miracle that she made it,” said UP coach Paul Ramos, who chalked up his first win at the Lady Maroons’ helm.
“I think it’s still a culture of working together and really working to get better every game, even if it’s so hard to win each game. I’m very happy and very glad that we’re finally able to break the curse. Everyone deserves this win.”
As if fate worked its magic, Pesquera also delivered the game-winning basket in UP’s last victory back in Season 79 when it beat Far Eastern University, 46-44, on November 9, 2016.
UP Lady Maroons defeated UE Lady Warriors 55-52 via a half court buzzer beater of Pesky Pesquera.
☝️st win of the season for the Lady Maroons and Coach Paul Ramos.#UAAPSeason82 pic.twitter.com/IFcyVtEIIb
— Pong Ducanes (@ompongski) October 12, 2019
“I just feel so happy. It’s about time,” said Pesquera, who scored seven of her 13 points in the fourth quarter. She also had nine rebounds and three assists.
Meanwhile, National University stretched its historic winning streak to 90 games after dumping Adamson, 75-56.
Congolese center Rhena Itesi was a force to reckon with in the middle, finishing with 22 points, 18 rebounds, and a block as the Lady Bulldogs remained unblemished this season at 10-0.
The Lady Maroons notched their first win this season after opening their campaign at 0-8 but not after coming back from 13 points down in the first half.
Tied at 52, UE had a chance to take the lead but Joyce Terrinal misfired on her triple that resulted to Pesquera’s wild shot.
Rei Sanchez added 10 points and five rebounds for UP.
Terrinal paced the Lady Warriors, who slid to 1-9, with 16 points and seven rebounds while Princess Pedregosa posted a double-double with 10 points and 18 rebounds.