Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws were eliminated from final four contention after the 55-70 loss to University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season 86 women’s basketball tourney today, November 8, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Lady Tamaraws collected turnovers early due to the potent man-to-man defense of the Lady Maroons.

Green-and-gold playmaker Shane Salvani paced the FEU offense, but accounted for seven of the 20 turnovers in the first half.

FEU lived off of perimeter scoring with drives to the basket and the occasional jumpers. The Morayta squad did not score a single three-pointer until halfway the third quarter with back-to-back triples from backup guard Erica Joi Lopez.

Despite the eight-point scoring outburst from team captain Jamerin Delos Santos in the final frame, UP’s consistency controlled the game, 55-70.

Morayta cager Josee Kaputu continued her scoring streak with 20 points and nine rebounds while Salvani and Delos Santos chipped in seven markers each.

FEU sharpshooter Queennie Aquino struggled today, scoring only two points on 1/9 shooting.

In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, head coach Bert Flores lamented on their shortcomings beyond the arc that prevented their rallies from turning into comebacks.

“Wala talaga eh. Like [Julie] Manguiat [and] Aquino laging tumitira dati sa three points. Kaya pinasok ko na si Lopez eh, buti naman naka dalawa (They didn’t shoot well. Like [Julie] Manguiat [and] Aquino used to shoot from three before. That’s why Lopez checked in, and thankfully she scored two),” he said.

FEU shot a profound 16.7% from three, and only scored three triples compared to UP’s nine.

With their eighth loss and three games left, FEU can no longer catch up to the fourth-seeded Ateneo, who sports seven wins and four losses.

Coach Bert added that despite the early exit, they will use the remaining games as time to prepare the team for season 87.

“Ang [goal] na namin ngayon ay maka five games kami. Kahit maka five or six wins lang kami, tapos ensayo na for next year (Our goal for the remaining games is to get five games. To win five or six wins at the very least, then we will prepare for next year),” he added.

FEU stands at sixth place with a 3-8 win-loss record and will face Ateneo de Manila University on November 12 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

(Photo by Karch Rafael/FEU Advocate)