UAAP: UE women end two-year losing streak by overcoming La Salle

MANILA — After two years, University of the East is finally back on the winning track in UAAP women’s basketball.

The Lady Warriors snapped a 31-game losing streak on Wednesday, holding off De La Salle University for a 68-65 win in the UAAP Season 89 women’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

This was UE’s first win since September 22, 2024, when the Lady Warriors also defeated La Salle in Season 87 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

With the victory, UE is now at 1-7 under head coach Ian Valdez, matching La Salle’s record.

“I am very happy lang sa nilaro ng team today. ‘Di ko ma-express kumbaga first time ko rin manalo dito sa UAAP so very happy. ‘Di ko ma-explain ‘yung nararamdaman ko ngayon,” the second-year head coach Valdez said. 

“All the sacrifices for the past two years … na ‘di pa kami ulit nanalo parang nagbunga lahat ng sacrifices namin na tinuturo ko sa mga players ko.”

Both teams struggled to establish a comfortable lead in the third quarter before Sy Oñate’s floater gave UE an eight-point cushion midway through the period, 45-38. La Salle gradually chipped away at the deficit, but Roshelle Lumibao drained a triple just before the buzzer to preserve the Lady Warriors’ five-point advantage, 48-43.

UE struggled to find its footing in the final period as La Salle’s defense sparked a 9-2 run, capped by Bukky Ojo’s free throw that trimmed the deficit to three, 55-52.

However, the Lady Warriors quickly regained their momentum as Rachel Lacayanga knocked down a triple before Oñate converted a layup to extend UE’s lead to seven, 60-53, with just over three minutes remaining.

La Salle refused to go down without a fight, mounting an 11-3 run highlighted by baskets from Go, Zyla Lubrico, and Ojo to pull within one, 64-63, with just over a minute left.

Aliyah Ronquilo answered on the ensuing possession, burying a timely triple to restore UE’s four-point cushion, 67-63, with 1:26 remaining.

Oñate then converted both free throws to keep the Lady Warriors in control, while Steph Villapando and Kitkat Tenebro missed crucial opportunities to bring La Salle closer in the closing stretch.

Although Lira Ramos missed both free throws that could have further widened UE’s lead, the Lady Warriors held on to end their two-year winless drought.

Oñate paced the Lady Warriors with 25 points, two rebounds, and one steal, while Lacayanga posted a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, alongside two assists.

Meanwhile, Ojo led the Lady Archers with a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds. Go also recorded a double-double, finishing with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists.

UE 68 – Oñate 25, Lacayanga 18, Buscar 5, Lumibao 5, Ronquillo 3, Vacalares 4, Gutierrez 3, Sajol 2, Guillim 2, Ramos 2, Dalguntas 0, Dublar 0, Cruz 0.

DLSU 65 – Ojo 24, Go 10, Lubrico 7, Araza 7, Villapando 6, S. Dizon 5, Tenebro 4, Bacierto 1, Dueñas 1, Sunga 0, Evangelio 0, A. Dizon 0.

Quarterscores: 13-20, 30-32, 48-43, 68-65.