Today was a similar situation. With a team that isn't a powerhouse like FEU or Adamson, I was expecting them to have a difficult time getting past an athletic and tall Lady Archer team. A win though would boost the Lady Eagles' confidence to a higher level. At the get go, the Lady Eagles went out running, scoring 2 quick baskets gaining a 4-2 lead. But a 15-3 run by the Lady Archers seemed to have broken the Lady Eagles early in the game. With sniping by the La Salle guards and the inside presence of center Kady Wilson, the Lady Archers had a ten point lead over the Lady Eagles, 17-7. The second quarter was no different. La Salle's stifling defense limited the Lady Eagles' output to only 12 points as compared to their own 17, increasing their lead to 15 by the end of the first half, DLSU 34 - ADMU 19.
Allysa Dogong with a reverse layup(Lady Eagles vs DLSU - Filoil Arena, August 7, 2010)
All seemed lost for the Lady Eagles. Their own outside shooting was hardly clicking, their inside game derailed by Wilson, they were hard pressed for answers. And their answer came in the form of their rookie, Allysa Dogong and main point guard Jen Dimaano. Finally, the Lady Eagles offense started clicking. The two guards drove fearlessly to the basket and their outside shooting finally went into high gear. Allysa had her own highlight as she drove to the basket for a spectacular reverse over La Salle center Wilson. A final drive by center Val Chua closed the gap to just 8 at end of the quarter, 43-35 in favor of the Lady Archers. By the fourth, the Lady Archers seemed to be back in control of the game as they were able to answer each basket the Lady Eagles scored. However by the 3 minute mark, Ateneo made their move. A 7-o blast, highlighted by a Jen Dimaano drive over Wilson's outstretched arm, tied the game at 49. Ateneo had numerous scoring opportunities to put the game away in regulation, however these did not pan out as the game went into overtime.
Jen Dimaano vs Kady Wilson(Lady Eagles vs DLSU - Filoil Arena, August 7, 2010)
At the start of the overtime period, the Lady Eagles seemed to have the game in control as they went on a 9-2 run. Ateneo on top by 7, 58-51 with roughly 3 mins to go. However, it was La Salle's turn to turn on the heat as they unleashed a blistering 10-2 run of their own to wrest the lead back, 60-61. Through a series of offensive miscues and unforced errors, the Lady Eagles failed to score in their next possession. With 30 seconds left, a defensive stop by Ateneo would bring the ball back to their court with time to spare for another play. As time winded down in the Lady Archer shot clock, rookie Piatos found herself open at the top of the key for a booming three pointer, DLSU 64-ADMU 60. Ateneo was unable to score in their last possession.
It was a sad loss. Sometimes I think to myself, which is worse, a blowout defeat or a close overtime loss? This particular defeat is very hard to swallow because of two things. Ateneo could have won it and that it was against La Salle. However, after the game, I felt different about this loss. I was proud to have been there to watch it. If you look at where the team is at right now: a new coaching staff, new players and a new system, today's game only shows how good this team really is and how great they can be. Most teams who face a 15 point deficit at half time would just give up. Most fans would already be think of a loss by that time. But that is not how Lady Eagle Basketball is played and that is not how fans of these ladies are. They play and cheer till the last second, win or lose.
Season 73 Lady Eagles(Lady Eagles vs DLSU - Filoil Arena, August 7, 2010)
So to answer my question, I'd rather watch a loss in overtime, knowing full well that my team fought to the bitter end.
One Big Fight!
*Sarah Mercado also played a great game, despite nursing a shoulder injury. She wasn't able to finish the game.
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