Lady Eagles bow down to the Lady Falcons

The Ateneo Lady Eagles were not able to overcome the Adamson Lady Falcons’ flawless defense and offense and these proved too much for the Lady Eagles as they lost their second game in four matches, 44-69, Sunday afternoon at the Blue Eagle Gym.

The Lady Falcons never looked back after leading 10-9 in the first period. Points off of turnovers and 2nd chance points were crucial and built Adamson’s lead slowly throughout the game.

Team Captain Sarah Mercado opened the game by sinking one of her free throws. Denise Tiu followed with back-to-back baskets bringing the Lady Eagles up 5- 2. Errors and turnovers by the Lady Eagles gave Adamson the chance to lead, with a 3-pointer ending the 1st quarter, 14-9.

The Lady Eagles were held scoreless during the first 4 minutes of the 2nd period while Adamson was scoring off turnovers and offensive rebounds. It was Mercado’s back-to-back-to-back baskets, with the 2nd being an and-1 play, that brought Ateneo back into the game, 22-16. Ateneo continued an 11-3 run late in the period to bring down the lead to 5 but Adamson answered back and ended the half with a 33-22 lead.

Sara Bo-ot’s basket started off things for the Lady Eagles in the 3rd period. But Adamson’s defense forced turnovers and scored as they built their lead up to 15. Bo-ot and Merado answered with baskets to bring the lead back down to 11. Rebounding proved to be a problem for the Lady Eagles as Adamson had 2nd and even 3rd chance baskets that increased their lead 19, 47-28. Valerie Chua’s free throws were the last points for Ateneo during the quarter while Adamson closed the quarter, again, with a 3-pointer, 52-30.

Ateneo looked to control and slowly catch up on Adamson’s lead with Corinne Javier, Danica Jose and Mercado making baskets during the 1st half of the final period. Adamson was quick to react as they made 3 straight 3-point baskets that brought up the lead to 29, 65-36 with 2:44 seconds left in the game. The Lady Eagles didn’t want to back down just yet as Mercado beat the shot clock with 2:14 left. Therese Estrada’s free throws brought the Lady Eagles within 25 with 1:40 left. Jose made the last two baskets for the Lady Eagles but they ultimately lost to the Lady Falcons.

The Lady Eagles will try to recover from this loss when they battle the FEU Lady Tamaraws on Wednesday, August 3, 3 pm at the Blue Eagle Gym.

Written by Althea Lapus