Far Eastern University (FEU) victoriously opened the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball tournament.

The Lady Tamaraws defeated De La Salle University (DLSU), 75-68, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City yesterday.

Leading FEU were Josee Kaputu, who poured in 27 points and nine rebounds, Queenie Aquino with 13 markers and Jamerin delos Santos with 10.

After leading for the majority of the contest, at one point even being up by 15 early in the fourth quarter, the Lady Tamaraws saw themselves ahead by seven points in the final quarter despite multiple efforts to pull away in the earlier parts of the game.

But Julie Manguiat hit a booming triple at the 7:36-mark of the fourth quarter to allow the Morayta-based squad to extend their lead to 10 once again and distance themselves from the pesky Lady Archers squad.

DLSU managed to close to as low as six, 66-70, after a turnaround jumper by Ann Mendoza with a little over 40 ticks remaining in the game, but that was the last stand of the Lady Archers as Kaputu’s midrange conversion pretty much sealed the deal for FEU.

Mendoza shone the brightest for DLSU with 23 markers, 10 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals, while Angel Villava-Cua and Luisa dela Paz contributed 10 and nine, respectively.

The Lady Tamaraws’ next assignment will be against the powerhouse National University on Wednesday, October 4 at 3:00 p.m., while the Lady Archers will face rivals Ateneo de Manila University on the same date at 11:00 a.m.

FEU will go up against University of the East on October 8, at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Quadricentennial Pavilion, while DLSU will face UST on the same date and same venue at 1:00 p.m. (ABS-CBN News)