Lady Eagles lose to DLSU in OT, 60-64

Like their seniors team counterparts, the Ateneo Lady Eagles suffered a truly heartbreaking loss, 60-64, at the hands of bitter rivals, the De La Salle Lady Archers in overtime.

The Lady Eagles had clawed their way back from an 18-point deficit in the middle of the third quarter to force the game to go into overtime. In the extra period, the Lady Eagles were finally able to wrest the lead away from La Salle, building a seven point lead thanks to Sarah Mercado’s trifecta.

Unfortunately, La Salle would regroup, tying the game with a three pointer. Ateneo would be unable to answer, and another trey by La Salle with 5.1 seconds to go proved to be the dagger.

Despite the loss, Ateneo was resilient, fighting back against a bigger, taller La Salle team. It seemed as though the Lady Eagles did not have a chance at all of winning against La Salle, especially in the first half when the Lady Eagles had more turnovers than points. The Lady Archers’ full court defense befuddled the Ateneo guards, and the taller La Salle players prevented them from penetrating the post.

Yet it seemed like a different Ateneo team came out of the dugout in the second half. Valerie Ong broke down the La Salle defense for an easy deuce, and after La Salle took their biggest lead, the Lady Eagles started their own run.

Jennifer Dimaano, the team’s top scorer, hit a big three that sparked a 12-2 blast by the Lady Eagles. Allysa Dogong proved to be a boost of energy off the bench as she fearlessly attacked the Lady Archers’ defense. Ateneo would go to the final canto only down by eight points, 35-43.

It seemed as though La Salle would take control again in the beginning of the fourth quarter, but Ateneo would fight back again behind Dimaano, who scored 10 of her 15 points in the second half.

Dimaano’s lay-up brought the team to within one of La Salle, 48-49. She would add a free throw later to tie the game with a little under a minute remaining. Both teams would be unable to make plays at the end game, however, with Sarah Mercado muffing two free throws that could have taken the lead for Ateneo.

The Lady Eagles were then unable to hold on to the lead in the extra period leading to the devastating loss. It was their fourth loss of the season.

Despite playing beautifully in the second half, the Lady Eagles were doomed by their miscues and blown lay-up opportunities in the first half. They let La Salle score 33 points off their turnovers, and also allowed 17 second chance points. Injury issues also continue to dog the team, as Mercado is still playing with an injured shoulder.

The Lady Eagles’ last game of the first round is on Tuesday, August 10, 8am against the UP Lady Maroons at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

By Camille Eugenia B. Naredo