THE Ateneo de Manila University (Admu) Lady Blue Eagles and Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) Lady Blue Knights posted contrasting wins in the opening of the third AdDU Women's Basketball Invitational at the AdDU Jacinto gym Wednesday, June 1.
The Lady Eagles, champion of the 2014 tournament, upset defending champion Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) Lady Crusaders, 65-33. The John Flores-coached Admu leaned on Pamela Andree Payac who drilled in 15 points while Jollina Go chipped in 12. Former AdDU mainstay Alyssa Villamor added four baskets.
It was a blowout game from the start as the vistors opened up a 41-14 lead in the first half then never looked back to secure the win.
Payac, in an interview with Sun.Star Davao said: “It was our defense that made us win the game. We also focused on our fundamentals because it is what our coach wanted us to do”.
She also stated that reaching the finals would be possible with the help of team work and trust.
Coach Flores, for his part, said they played good and were just tired
from their practice.
“We need to be better because La Salle is in its complete form, if we don’t bring our A game tomorrow, I think we will have a hard time,” Flores said.
Admu and DLSU will clash at 2 p.m. today in the single round-robin cagefest.
Host AdDU drew first blood by nipping Xavier University of Cagayan de Oro City, 58-56.
It was a 39-all deadlock at the start of the fourth quarter and both teams battled it out until the waning seconds.
Andrea Nicolas sealed the win for the Lady Blue Knights after she managed to fish for a foul and earned a trip to the charity stripe where she converted on two free throws.
"In the last three minutes of the game, nakapag communicate napo kami ngmaayostapos we started working as a team," Nicolas said, adding that their rebounding also played a huge part in their victory.
As for Addu head coach Cyrielle Ramintas, she said: "My team was pressured because they were not used to playing in front of a big crowd. Kulang yung confidence nila kanina but we'll make an adjustment and regain yung confidence nila for the next game."
Ruby Joy Conson sparked Addu with 16 points while Nicolas added 13 including the game-winning free throws.
AdDU and HCDC, meanwhile, were playing as of Wednesday.