FEU finally solves NU puzzle

Far Eastern University (FEU) ended its 13-year winless spell against powerhouse National University (NU) with an 85-81 victory in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 women’s basketball tournament on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After struggling from beyond the arc in the second half, Amyah Espanol rediscovered her shooting touch in the closing minutes, scoring six of her career-high 27 points in the final minute to lift the Lady Tamaraws to their fifth win in nine games.

The victory moved FEU to within a game of the second-running Lady Bulldogs, who dropped to 6-3.

It was also FEU’s first win over NU since Season 76, when the Lady Tamaraws prevailed, 57-50, on 7 July 2013.

Despite the loss, NU remained in second place behind unbeaten University of Santo Tomas (UST), which holds an 8-0 record.

“I always tell the players that our standard should be the teams in the top four, or even top teams like UST and NU. That’s where our goal lies,” FEU head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy said.

“This is just a testament that we can do it. It’s just that we need to work hard... We don’t have the height and we don’t have the most talented team.”

“For us, our game plan worked well today.”

After a tightly contested opening quarter, FEU began to pull away in the second period, building a nine-point halftime lead behind Espanol’s five three-pointers to take a 50-41 advantage.

NU, however, spoiled the Lady Tamaraws’ momentum as FEU struggled to find answers in the third quarter. The Lady Bulldogs closed the period with a 7-2 run, capped by Tin Cayabyab’s triple, to trim the deficit to just two points, 65-63, heading into the final frame.

The Lady Bulldogs carried that momentum into the fourth quarter, with Aloha Betanio knocking down back-to-back triples to give NU its first lead since the opening period at 72-67.

Both teams continued to trade baskets before Victoria Pasilang connected from beyond the arc to put FEU back in front, 78-77.

NU refused to back down, however, as Cayabyab converted a layup to reclaim the lead for the Lady Bulldogs, 81-79, with just over a minute remaining.

Espanol responded with back-to-back baskets to put FEU back on top. NU had a chance to force a tie, but Cayabyab missed a fadeaway jumper. Espanol then sealed the victory by sinking two free throws in the final eight seconds to account for the final score.