Lady Archers barge into UAAP win column

De La Salle University overwhelmed the University of the East (UE), 70-55, to secure its first win in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 women’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

After dropping their opening game against Far Eastern University last Wednesday, the Lady Archers improved to 1-1, while the Lady Warriors fell to 0-2 and suffered their 26th consecutive loss dating back to Season 87.

“It’s a good character win for us that we came back from a loss, especially our first game. I’m not sure if it was the same team in the first game that I was coaching,” La Salle head coach Cholo Villanueva said.

“It was just a far different team from that last game, and this is how we looked during the preseason. Because of the UAAP jitters, it’s a different environment so everybody is adjusting to the game, to the arenas, and the environment.”

The Lady Archers came out firing, cruising to an 11-2 start before UE responded with a 5-0 run capped by Kristine Dalguntas’ triple to trim the deficit to six, 22-16, at the end of the opening frame.