UAAP: La Salle keeps Final Four bid going with win over FEU

La Salle’s Betts Binahoan.–UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–La Salle snapped a two-game losing streak with a come-from-behind 64-60 victory over Far Eastern University in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

With the win, the Lady Archers kept their slim Final Four hopes alive, improving to a 3-8 record with three games remaining in the elimination round and tying the Lady Tamaraws and the UP Fighting Maroons for fifth to seventh places — a full three games behind fourth-running Ateneo Blue Eagles

Ateneo will take on FEU on Saturday. A win by the Blue Eagles eliminates the Lady Tamaraws, the Lady Archers, and the Fighting Maroons from contention.

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In her first game since September 8 after suffering a bone bruise on her left knee, Betts Binaohan shone with 15 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and two assists.

Luisa San Juan, who drilled in a record 10 triples in the first round against the Lady Tamaraws, contributed 14 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

“Tinignan ko kung ano pwede ko gawin, so inaral ko yung game. Kung ano yung mga pwede kong gawin habang injured ako, binabasa ko yung tendencies ng teammates ko and weaknesses nila para pagbalik ko, alam ko kung ano yung strength nila and magamit namin ‘yon sa loob ng court,” Binaohan said.

FEU turned a slim 32-30 halftime lead into a nine-point advantage, 55-46, going into the fourth quarter, thanks to a 19-9 surge led by Yvette Villanueva, EJ Lopez, and MJ Manguiat.

However, La Salle responded with a dominant 13-2 run in the final period, reclaiming the lead at 62-60 after Bernice Paraiso split her free throws with less than a minute remaining.

Another free throw from Paraiso, along with a critical defensive stop on Yvette Villanueva’s potential game-tying three-pointer, secured the Lady Archers’ third victory in 11 outings.

The win also marked La Salle’s second triumph over FEU this season, following an impressive 89-65 victory in their first-round matchup on September 25.

“I told the girls na every time we step on the floor, we want to compete. If we’re in the running or if we’re out of the running, we’re here and in front of our LaSallian community and we want to compete every time,” La Salle head coach Cholo Villanueva said. “Every play, every minute, and every second on the floor, we just want to compete and win.”

READ: UAAP: Ateneo win sends Adamson to women’s basketball Final Four

Luisa San Juan, who dropped a record-tying 10 triples in their first-round encounter against FEU, scored 14 points on 2-of-3 from beyond the arc to go along with five rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

Kyla Sunga nearly tallied a double-double with 11 points and eight rebounds to go along with five steals and one block, while Patricia Mendoza chipped in seven points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals. Lee Sario also enjoyed an all-around outing with eight points, five assists, four rebounds, and two steals.

La Salle now aims to build momentum and keep its Final Four hopes alive in its next game against the University of the Philippines on Sunday at Araneta Coliseum.

On the other hand, the Lady Tamaraws’ Final Four hopes dimmed after falling to a similar 3-8 card for a share of seventh place alongside the Lady Archers and the UP Fighting Maroons.

Manguiat paced FEU in the losing effort with 16 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while Villanueva tallied 15 points, six rebounds, two blocks, and one steal.

Lopez ended the day with 14 points, five assists, three rebounds, and one steal. Shane Salvani, meanwhile, went scoreless, missing all 14 of her attempts from the field and committing 11 turnovers but still contributed eight rebounds, five assists, four steals, and a block.

The Scores:

LA SALLE 64 – Binaohan 15, San Juan 14, Sunga 11, Sario 8, Mendoza 7, Dalisay 7, Paraiso 2, Dela Paz 0, Camba 0, Barcierto 0, Santos 0, Delos Reyes 0.

FEU 60 – Manguiat 16, Villanueva 15, Lopez 14, Pasilang 5, Paras 4, Ong 4, Nagma 2, Salvani 0, Dela Torre 0.

Quarterscores: 16-10, 30-32, 46-55, 64-60