Lady Archers, Bulldogs go for sweep

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion De La Salle and National University on Wednesday primed themselves up for this weekend’s upcoming Finals rematch in the UAAP Season 77 women’s basketball tournament at the Blue Eagle Gym.

Trisha Piatos scored two buffer free throws in the last 3.3 seconds as the Lady Archers nipped Far Eastern University, 46-43, while Shelley Gupilan shot 25 points as the Lady Bulldogs blasted University of the Philippines, 57-44.

Both toting perfect 6-0 slates, La Salle and NU clash for the first round sweep on Sunday at the Katipunan venue.

April Siat had a chance to give the Lady Tamaraws the lead but her shot did not make it through the net in the last 13 seconds, paving the way for Piatos to hit two charities to clinch it for the Lady Archers. 

Nicole Garcia had a double-double effort of 15 points and 11 rebounds while Piatos had 10 points, five boards and three assists for La Salle.

Gupilan got her usual support from Afril Bernardino, who contributed 16 points and eight rebounds for the Lady Bulldogs, who overcame a gallant Lady Maroons stand in the first half.

In other games, University of Santo Tomas beat the University of the East, 69-54, while Adamson University tripped Ateneo, 59-47 to improve their records to 3-3.  

The Lady Warriors, Lady Tamaraws and the Lady Eagles absorbed their fourth straight defeat, while the Lady Maroons remained the lone winless team in the tournament at 0-6.