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| FEU's Loraine Ventura stripped the ball away from UST's Maica Cortes during a late sequence of their stepladder playoff match. Ivan Saldajeno |
The FEU Lady Tamaraws completed a late fourth quarter comeback to score a 62-61 win against the UST Tigresses at the start of the UAAP women's basketball stepladder playoffs at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Lady Tamaraws trailed, 45-54, with about eight minutes left in the game.
But they outscored the Tigresses, 16-6, in the next seven minutes, capped by a go-ahead field goal from Claire Castro, to go up, 61-60.
Lore Rivera tied the game, 61-61, after a free throw on the other end.
But Loraine Ventura got the lead back for FEU after her own free throw, giving UST only 3.8 seconds to steal the win.
The Lady Tamaraws' defense stifled the Tigresses in the dying moments as the latter failed to make an attempt at the buzzer.
Castro had 15 points, eight rebounds, and six blocks, while Angel Arellano added a team-high 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting along with three rebounds, two assists, and four steals for FEU.
Lore Rivera and Maica Cortes combined for 39 points and 37 rebounds to lead UST.
The win catapulted FEU to the next round against defending champion De La Salle, who owns a twice-to-beat advantage.
Box Scores:
FEU 62-Arellano 18, Castro 15, Tanaman 12, Ventura 5, Siat 4, Chan 4, Valenzona 2, Gabriel 2, Baldonado 0, Lozano 0
UST 61-Rivera 23, Cortes 16, Reyes 6, Felisarte 4, Peñaflor 4, Siapoc 3, Magdaluyo 3, Angeles 2, Isanan 0, Brillantes 0
Quarterscores: 11-12, 24-31, 41-48, 62-61
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