Daez shines as UP stays alive in UAAP women’s hoops

MANILA, Philippines – Bea Daez, playing with a protective mask, came through with 13 points as University of the Philippines nipped University of the East, 46-45, to keep its semifinals bid alive Sunday in the UAAP Season 78 women's basketball tournament at the Blue Eagle gym.

In other results, defending champion National University overwhelmed Adamson, 75-49, to extend its perfect run to 10 games, La Salle secured the second semifinals berth with a 54-43 whipping of Far Eastern University, and University of Santo Tomas routed Ateneo, 67-53.

After a 25-game losing skid, the Lady Maroons are riding on crest of a three-game winning streak to remain in the playoff hunt.

Daez got ample support from Therese Medina (11 points, six rebounds) and Patricia Pesquera (10 points, nine boards) for UP.

The Lady Maroons tied the Lady Falcons in sixth place at 3-7, trailing joint fourth placers Lady Eagles and Lady Warriors, both sporting 4-6 slates, in the race for the last semifinals berth.

Prior to defeating UE, UP ended its futility of 25 straight losses which spanning for three seasons by beating Adamson, followed by a narrow one-point victory against Ateneo.

The Lady Bulldogs, who have already secured the first semis spot, stretched their remarkable winning run to 28 games dating back from last year.

Reigning MVP Afril Bernardino was at her usual best with 19 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and two assists while Shelley Gupilan added 12 points and three assists for NU.

Camille Claro finished with 12 points and five assists while Ara Abaca chipped in 10 points, six rebounds and five assists as the Lady Archers have now won nine straight after a season-opening loss to the Lady Bulldogs.

Meanwhile, the league announced Monday that the postponed games last October 18 will now be played on November 4 when action resumes after the Halloween break.

The matches scheduled are UST-UP at 9 a.m., NU-Ateneo at 11 a.m., UE-FEU at 1 p.m., and Adamson-La Salle at 3 p.m. at the Blue Eagle Gym.