Sharpshooter Luisa San Juan drains record-tying 10 three-pointers, as the La Salle Lady Archers take their first win in UAAP Season 87 by beating the FEU Lady Tamaraws.
It was a personal victory for La Salle swingman Luisa San Juan as she tied the UAAP record for the most three-pointers in a game at 10, helping the Lady Archers defeat the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 89-65, in UAAP Season 87 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
En route to a 34-point outing, San Juan tied Jeff Napa who set the record back in UAAP Season 65 with the NU Bulldogs in a game against Adamson, earning her place with the current head coach as the record holders in UAAP men’s and women’s basketball.
Allan Caidic also made ten triples for the University of the East in 1985, according to statistician Pong Ducanes.
But instead of focusing on her own achievement, San Juan relished finally getting La Salle on the board, as the Lady Archers snapped a 4-game losing streak to begin the year.
“I think ginawa lang talaga namin 'yung pinapagawa ni coach [Cholo Villanueva], 'yung roles namin, 'yung part namin sa team namin. And of course, 'yung mindset namin na we needed this win,” said San Juan.
It was a timely explosion for San Juan as the Lady Archers fended off a challenge in the second half from FEU. Before blowing them out in the fourth quarter, the Lady Tamaraws were within four, 62-58, early in the canto.
While close games often come down to who wants it more, San Juan said that she and the Lady Archers needed the win – not just want, but need.
“'Yung naging mindset namin every game lalo nung [against] Ateneo is not just we want to win, but we need the win… Ngayon na every game is a chance, and every training — time to improve yun,” she said.
“'Yung mga nattraining namin, dinadala lang namin dito kasi we’re good naman sa training, but minsan hindi nadadala. But today nagawa naman namin.”
San Juan is also making up for lost time, as she missed the action during UAAP Season 85 – the last run of the Lady Archers to the Final Four and the Finals where they eventually lost to the NU Lady Bulldogs.
But she’s not at all focusing on herself, rather, she just wants to be able to play for her teammates.
“For me, wala naman masyadong motivation. But it’s all on God lang talaga. We always pray, and right now nagro-rosary na kami. Motivation na we play for each other, for coach Cholo and yung sa mga managers namin,” she said.
As they approach the rest of the season with a win under their belts, San Juan hopes they’ll be able to keep up for their coming games.
“It’s a big boost talaga ng confidence namin, 'yun kasi kailangan lang naman namin ng kick-off win to get our rhythm sa panalo,” she said.
Momentum will be key for the Lady Archers as they’ll be facing defending champions UST Growling Tigresses on Sunday, September 29, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The latter are coming off of a tough loss at the hands of the NU Lady Bulldogs and will be eager to bounce back.