By Andrei M. Barrantes

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws head coach Bert Flores urged the team to keep their heads up despite the 50-71 loss against Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 women’s basketball tourney today, October 18 at the Adamson University Gymnasium, Manila City.

“Kailangan [na] ibalik ang confidence namin. Mula nung against UP (University of the Philippines), nawala 'yung confidence nila, parang na-down sila (We need to bring back our confidence. Ever since the game against UP, their confidence disappeared, it's like they feel down), Coach Bert said in a post-game interview with FEU Advocate.

FEU had tipoff jitters to start the game, committing three turnovers before putting up their first field goal. Adamson’s pressure defense proved overwhelming for the green-and-gold lady cagers ending the half 22-43.

Morayta-based forward Rea Ong held down the fort on the defensive end, collecting steals, intercepting passes, and blocking shots.

In the third quarter, Congolese bigman Josee Kaputu got to work, scoring eight straight FEU points. 

With 4.2 seconds left in the third quarter, Kaputu was called for an unsportsmanlike foul after colliding with an opponent on a defensive rebound. The call was passionately disputed by Coach Bert, resulting in a technical foul.

Both teams struggled to start the fourth quarter, with both teams trading turnovers and missed field goal attempts.

At the two-minute mark, team captain Jamerin Delos Santos got entangled with an opposing player, resulting in double technical fouls

Green-and-gold guard Honey Caringal was also ejected on a disqualifying foul for stepping foot on the court during the altercation.

Despite outscoring the Lady Falcons in the fourth, the Lady Tamaraws bow down 50-71.

FEU nearly doubled Adamson’s turnovers 28-17, which opened the floodgates for 25 fastbreak points for the Lady Falcons.

Coach Bert stressed that turnover management and confidence is the key to bouncing back in the next round.

“I-limit namin 'yung turnover [namin], masyadong nawawala sa momentum 'yung team. 'Yung gigil din kailangan namin ibalik… 'Yun ang importante kasi kailangan namin mag-ipon [ng panalo] ngayong first round (We need to limit our turnovers, the team loses too much momentum because of it. We also need to bring back the aggression… Those are important because we needed to collect wins this first round),” he said.

Despite the 21-point blowout, Kaputu dominated once again, dropping 24 points and 21 rebounds. Queennie Aquino chipped in nine points and six boards, while Ong managed two points, steals, and blocks without picking up a single foul.

The Lady Tams extend their losing skid to three with a 2-4 win-loss record as they prepare to face the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses on October 21 at the same venue.

(Photo by Ralph Castro/FEU Advocate)