The lady hoopers of UAAP Season 86 are not yet done balling out. Over the weekend, they once again showcased their slow-clap inducing skills in the name of school pride and glory. Vol. 9 featured eye-popping stat lines, and just like how it should be, the 10th edition is just as impressive, if not even more.
5 Josee Kaputu – FEU Tamaraws
The Tams dropped to 3-7 after losing to the La Salle Lady Archers, 73-70, on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Still, Kaputu’s dominance in the paint was as clear as 20-20. Carrying FEU all throughout the tight contest, the Congolese center tallied 20 points and 22 rebounds.
4 Louna Ozar – UP Fighting Maroons
On Sunday in the same arena, the Fighting Maroons tightened their hold of second place with an 8-2 record courtesy of a 71-48 win over the Ateneo Blue Eagles. UP’s Filipino-French rookie scored a game-high 17 points on top of two rebounds, two assists, and four steals. With Ozar leading the way, winning it all looks like a distinct possibility for the Diliman-based squad.
3 Favour Onoh – UP Fighting Maroons
Winning the big one certainly looks more and more possible for UP with Onoh playing like the team’s second alpha, alongside Ozar. In the Fighting Maroons’ revenge win over the Blue Eagles, the Nigerian cager posted 13 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks. The Ozar-Onoh tandem is right up there with bacon and cheese or beer and chicharon.
2 Cheska Apag – Adamson Lady Falcons
On Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Apag went off for 19 points, three assists, three steals, and two blocks to help the Lady Falcons get past the winless UE Lady Warriors, 71-66. With a 3-7 record, it’s still mathematically possible for Adamson to make the Final Four, all thanks to Apag, who refused to let UE get its first victory at the expense of her crew.
1 Karl Pingol – NU Lady Bulldogs
NU’s Maymay Canuto may have hit the game-winner in the Lady Bulldogs’s 77-76 win over the UST Growling Tigresses on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, but it was undoubtedly Pingol’s stellar outing that put the tournament’s top-seeded team in position to get the victory. Finishing with 21 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals, KP led the mighty Lady Bulldogs to a semifinals berth as they are now 9-1 in the standings. Who’s toppling the defending champs off their throne? All takers are welcome, says NU’s latest gutsy performance.
(MDB)