TREY. Far Eastern University's Erica Joi Lopez fires a three-pointer off Adamson University's Cheska Apag during the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Saturday (Oct. 12, 2024). The Lady Tamaraws won, 67-64. (UAAP photo)
MANILA – Erica Joi Lopez scored 12 points in the fourth quarter as Far Eastern University stunned Adamson University, 67-64, in the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Saturday.
Lopez sank her fifth triple to put the Lady Tamaraws ahead at 65-64, one minute remaining.
Adamson rallied behind Elaine Etang and Oluwakemi Adeshina but both missed their shots.
FEU sealed the victory with Shane Salvani's two free throws.
“The confidence that coach Raiza gives us is so great that when it's open, you just make the shot with all your heart, without doubt," Lopez, who finished with 17 points highlighted by four triples in the fourth period, said.
Yvette Villanueva chipped in 13 points, nine rebounds and four blocks, while Salvani, MJ Manguiat and Rea Fe Ong contributed eight points each for FEU, which improved to 2-6.
“I’m not surprised that they played that way. I’ve seen them play every day, six times a week and I believe that they can. Like I’ve mentioned in the first round, we just need that everyone play good at the same time,” FEU coach Raiza Palmera-Dy said.
Etang had 16 points, six rebounds, three steals and two assists for the Lady Falcons, who posted their biggest lead at 24-17.
Apag added 14 points, seven rebounds, four steals and two assists as Adamson remained in third place at 5-3, behind National University (7-0) and University of Santo Tomas (6-1).
In the other game, the De La Salle University got back at first-round tormentor University of the East, 74-46, to tie FEU.
Tricia Mendoza led the Lady Archers with 15 points, five rebounds and two blocks, followed by Bernice Paraiso with 13 points, 10 rebounds and four steals. Arabell Bacierto and Luisa San Juan scored 12 points each.
“For us, we’re just looking at correcting our mistakes. Things that we did wrong, the habits we had nung (during the) first round, we just want to correct them,” De La Salle coach Cholo Villanueva said.
Moana Vacalares had 12 points for the Lady Warriors, who took their seventh loss against one win.
The Lady Warriors beat the Lady Archers, 65-47, in their first-round match on Sept. 22 that ended a 40-game skid dating back to Season 82. (PNA)
