By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negrense Kye Pesquera connected go-ahead free throws as the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons turned back the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers, 66-62, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday, October 6.
With the score tied at 62-all, Negros Occidental’s Talisay City native Pesquera overcame pressure to convert two free throws to give the Fighting Maroons a 64-62 advantage.
Following missed baskets from the Lady Archers, the Fighting Maroons sealed the come-from-behind victory as Christie Bariquit connected with two free throws with six seconds left.
Pesquera and Bariquit finished with 11 markers apiece, while Achrissa Maw led the way for the Fighting Maroons with 18 points, Louna Ozar tallied a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds as they improved to a 3-4 win-loss slate.
“I’m just really so happy we won in the last game of our first round. We lost two consecutive games before this, so we badly needed this entering the second round. I’m really proud of the girls that we held on and fought back from a huge deficit,” UP head coach Paul Ramos said.
“I think it was really just that the players were more clear with what they needed to do in any possession, kasi it was evident in the last two games namin that we were lost with what to do with our offense,” he added.
Luisa San Juan ended the game with 23 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Bernice Paraiso contributed 13 points, six rebounds and four assists as the Lady Archers dropped to 1-6./ASC, WDJ
UP 66 — Maw 18, Ozar 13, Pesquera 11, Bariquit 11, Tapawan 8, Lozada 5, Mendoza 0, Jimenez 0, Barba 0, Sauz 0, Solitario 0, Nolasco 0, Quinquinio 0, Vingno 0.
DLSU 62 — San Juan 23, Paraiso 13, Sario 7, Dalisay 5, Camba 5, Mendoza 4, Sunga 3, Barcierto 2, Santos 0, Rodriguez 0, Dela Paz 0.
Quarterscores: 17-15, 35-33, 46-56, 66-62.