UAAP: Elaine Etang’s heroics lift Adamson over La Salle

MANILA — Elaine Etang took over late to power Adamson University past De La Salle University, 70-68, in the UAAP Season 89 women’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.

This is the third win in a row for the Lady Falcons, putting them in a tie for third place with the University of the Philippines at 3-2.

Etang knocked down the crucial triples to save the day for Adamson on her way to a 25-point, 10-assist performance, on top of seven rebounds and three steals.

“Hinding-hindi mawawala ‘yung tiwala ko sa team. Kahit na we were down 10, nakabawi kami, and nag-tie pa kami after the first half,” said Etang, who made five of her six attempts from long range.

Adamson trailed 47-36 with 2:45 left in the third quarter before uncorking a 12-2 run that trimmed the deficit to one point entering the final frame.

Etang reclaimed the lead for the Lady Falcons with a triple two minutes into the fourth quarter, putting Adamson ahead, 51-49. However, just as the Falcons were building momentum, Kyla Go drilled a three-pointer to force another deadlock at 60-all with 4:18 left in the game.

Etang then took charge, sinking two triples in the final two minutes to give Adamson a 70-64 advantage.

La Salle refused to back down, as Go split her free throws before Steph Villapando buried a trey to cut the deficit to two.

The Lady Archers had multiple opportunities to tie the game or take the lead, but Go and Zyla Lubrico failed to convert their attempts as the Lady Falcons held on for the victory.

“You give all the credit to the girls. ‘Yung laban na ‘yun, that fight and that kind of effort, credits to the girls, even the ones on the bench,” said Adamson head coach Jed Colonia.

The Lady Falcons needed Etang to come up big after fellow veteran Cheska Apag was limited to one minute and 51 seconds of playing time in the first half due to foul trouble.

“Noong na-down siya, ako nag-cheer up sa kanya. Hindi pwede sumabay sa kanya, kasi kailangan din ako ng team,” Etang said.

Apag eventually finished with seven points in a 13-minute stint, while Jam Meniano chipped in eight points and six rebounds.

The Lady Falcons will look to extend their winning streak against Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday, October 21, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Nigerian forward Favour Ojo posted a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds for La Salle, while Go led the Lady Archers with 24 points.

Meanwhile, DLSU, which has now absorbed three consecutive losses, will look to return to the win column when it takes on defending champion University of Santo Tomas, also on October 21.

AdU (70) – Etang 25, Meniano 8, Apag 7, Manlimos 7, Mazo 6, Adeshina 4, Limbago 3, Tano 3, Alaba 3, Bajo 2, Burgos 2, Muñoz 0, Cortez 0, Medina 0.

DLSU (68) – Go 24, Ojo 19, Villapando 9, Lubrico 6, Barcierto 2, S. Dizon 2, Villarin 2, Sunga 2, Araza 2, Anastacio 0, A. Dizon 0.

Quarterscores: 15-17, 29-29, 48-49, 70-68