It is safe to say that one of the De La Salle University Women’s Basketball Team’s most prized recruits in recent years showed no signs of stage fright.
Powered by Kent Pastrana’s showing of 24 points, 14 rebounds, six steals and two assists, the Lady Archers romped the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, 78-47, Wednesday morning at the UST Quadricentennial Pavillion in Manila.
La Salle coach Cholo Villanueva shared, “It’s a good way to start the season but we still have a long way to go. Having rookies and sophomores for the majority of the team, it’s good that we got our feet wet, seeing how each one reacts in a UAAP environment.”
The Lady Archers led throughout the contest thanks to its excellent executions from both ends of the floor. With a 15-point cushion at the break, the Green and White was well on its way to victory and late baskets from Rhea Castillo and Betts Binaohan inflated it to 31 points by the end of the final buzzer.
Aside from Pastrana, skipper Benette Revillosa was the other Lady Archer in double digits as she produced 13 points alongside three rebounds and four steals. Chuchi Paraiso also contributed eight points with four boards.
La Salle’s tight defense managed to seize 19 points off turnovers and it converted 20 perimeter baskets compared to State U’s eight and seven respectively.
“We need to improve on our shooting efficiency specially on open shots and pushing the ball forward,” added Villanueva.
Jona Lebico led UP with 11 markers.
Up next for the Lady Archers is a date against Ateneo de Manila University this Sunday, 10:00 AM, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Both teams are coming off with victories after their first assignments of the campaign.
Box scores:
La Salle – Pastrana 24, Revillosa 13, Paraiso 8, Torres 7, Okoli 7, Sario 6, Quingco 5, Malarde 3, Del Campo 3, Binaohan 2. Dalisay 0, Espinas 0, Camba 0.
UP – Lebico 11, Sanchez 9, Ordoveza 6, Gusilatar 6, Rivera 4, Pesquera 4, De Leon 3, Taulava 2, Gonzales 2, Domingo 0, Hidalgo 0.
Quarter scores: 11-7, 32-17, 52-34, 78-47.