Lady Eagles 3-4 in first round

Another Battle of Katipunan win goes to the team from Loyola Heights.

The Ateneo de Manila Lady Eagles ended the first round of UAAP Season 73 basketball with a 64-61 win against the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons Tuesday morning at The Arena.

Coach Chris Quimpo’s starting five was made up of Sarah Mercado, Jen Dimaano, Valerie Chua, Mariana Lopa, and Denise Tiu.

Ateneo gained an early 7-2 advantage with baskets from Mercado and Lopa, but UP shot three threes to keep up. After the first quarter, the playing field was even; both teams had 16 points.

Despite Ateneo’s turnover-inducing defense, State U got a leg up in the second quarter. They put up three more shots from beyond the arc to put the Lady Eagles down 30-35 at the end of the half. Ateneo stayed in the game with high percentage shots from their front court.

Ateneo banked on what freethrows they could make to stay afloat in the third quarter. But a three-point play by Chua made it 44-45 at the 1:56 mark, and gave the Loyola Heights lasses momentum. Chua hit a tear drop with 26 seconds left in the quarter to put the Lady Eagles up 49-46 at the end of the third canto.

Junior Therese Estrada hit a long two and a three from the corner to give Ateneo a 54-50 cushion midway through the final quarter.

With 46 seconds left in the game, team captain Lopa passed the ball to Chua who put in another sure basket from the paint to put the Lady Eagles out of UP’s reach 64-59. But Ateneo’s defense crumbled giving UP room to put up a final basket and make it a three-point game, 64-61 in the dying seconds.

Chua was fouled and had a chance to score two more from the stripe but missed both freethrows. Fortunately, time was on Ateneo’s side giving them their third win this season.

In a game riddled with foul calls, Ateneo was forced to earn points from the freethrow line. The blue shirts lived and died on charities shooting 35 out of 57.

Chua shot 75% from the field and finished with 15 markers. Mercado shot only 2/10 from the field but had 15 points and three steals to her name.

Ateneo has a 3-4 win-loss slate and are looking to improve last season’s 4-10 finish.

Know the numbers of the Ateneo vs UP game here