La Salle revved up going into the twilight of the game but dropped a heart-stopping game despite Luisa San Juan’s heroic efforts; the De La Salle University Lady Archers fell just short, losing a 65-62 thriller to archrival Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Basketball Tournament.
What seemed like an inevitable Ateneo victory turned into a nerve-wracking contest, thanks to San Juan’s relentless performance. The third-year Filipino-British forward took over the game late, draining four massive three-pointers and giving the Lady Archers a chance to snatch victory from their rivals. With just under four minutes remaining, San Juan’s long-range bombs cut Ateneo’s lead to a slim 62-59.
But despite clawing back from a double-digit deficit, La Salle couldn’t quite complete the comeback.
“I think we started slow and ended slower,” Ateneo assistant coach Bacon Austria admitted after the game, as head coach LA Mumar was unavailable for post-game comments. The Blue Eagles, after enjoying a comfortable 47-29 lead early in the third quarter, were forced to adjust to San Juan’s hot hand late in the game.
The energy shifted when Bea Dalisay buried a crucial three-pointer, bringing La Salle within a single point, 63-62, with just 31.5 seconds left on the clock. The game was La Salle’s to take, but a missed go-ahead shot and a pair of late free throws by Ateneo’s Kai Oani sealed the Lady Archers’ fate in the final seconds.
San Juan’s desperation heave at the buzzer missed the mark, ending a game where La Salle showed tremendous heart and resilience. Though they walked away without the win, the Lady Archers’ comeback efforts will serve as a reminder of the grit this team has, as they continue searching for their first win of the season.
San Juan finished with a career-high 24 points, including a dazzling display from beyond the arc. Graduating forward Bernice Paraiso added 13 points and seven rebounds, playing a key role in La Salle’s resurgence in the second half.
“It’s tough to lose a game like this, but we have to focus on the positives,” said Paraiso after the game. “We fought back, and that shows the fight in this team. We’ll be ready for the next one.”
La Salle’s defense stifled Ateneo in the fourth quarter, holding the Blue Eagles to just 14 points and keeping them scoreless in key stretches of the game. Kacey Dela Rosa, Ateneo’s standout center, was limited to just eight points in the second half after exploding for 16 in the first two quarters.
The Lady Archers, now 0-3, will look to carry this momentum forward when they face the UE Lady Warriors next Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
Ateneo 65 – Dela Rosa 24, Calago 13, Oani 10, Makanjuola 8, Villacruz 7, Batongbakal 3, Eufemiano 0, Nieves 0, Angala 0, Aguirre 0, Cancio 0, Cruza 0.
DLSU 62 – San Juan 24, Paraiso 13, Dalisay 6, Santos 5, Sario 5, Dela Paz 4, Sunga 4, Delos Reyes 1, Camba 0, Mendoza 0, Rodriguez 0, Baciento 0.
