The FEU Lady Tamaraws during their game against UE in the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament, November 3, 2024 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. UAAP MediaMANILA -- Far Eastern University is still alive in the race for a Final 4 spot in the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament.

This, after the Lady Tamaraws escaped with a 57-51 triumph against University of the East on Sunday afternoon at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

FEU improved to 3-8 with four games left in their schedule, having regained their winning ways after a huge 70-54 loss to defending champion University of Santo Tomas last week.

"Sabi ko naman sa kanila, whoever is willing to fight for the team, ‘yun yung gagamitin natin and ‘yun yung maglalaro inside the court. Itong mga crucial moments na ito, ito yung mga kailangan namin na may nagsstep up talaga," said FEU head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy.

After settling for a slim 31-29 lead at the break, the Lady Tams used a 16-7 third quarter into a more comfortable 47-36 cushion heading into the final period.

But behind the combined efforts of Malienne center Kamba Kone and Jearzy Ganade, the Lady Warriors trimmed the deficit to two points, 49-47, with still 2:08 to play.

Fortunately for FEU, clutch plays from Erica Lopez, MJ Manguiat, and Maria Paras helped them fend off the Lady Warriors and seal their third win of the season. They also completed an elimination round sweep of UE, having won their first round encounter 62-56 last September 18.

"To be honest, grateful kami na nanalo kami but I’m not happy with the performance of our team because record namin ito this season, 31 turnovers. They maximized our turnovers, but a win is a win, we will move on to our next game which is La Salle. We have to address our turnovers," said Palmera-Dy.

Manguiat poured in 22 points, five rebounds, two steals, and one assist, while Lopez chipped in an all-around statline with eight points, four rebounds, four assists, and one steal.

Shane Salvani was limited to seven points on 22.2 percent shooting but still contributed a game-high 10 rebounds, five assists, and one block, while Max Dela Torre chipped in six points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

Rachel Lacayanga paced the Lady Warriors in the losing effort with 15 points, two rebounds, two steals, and one assist, while Kone nearly tallied a double-double with 12 points, nine rebounds, and one steal.

The Lady Tamaraws look to ignite a win streak when they clash against the Lady Archers on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. FEU lost its first round meeting with De La Salle, when Luisa San Juan dropped a record 10 triples.

On the other hand, the Lady Warriors aim to put an end to a seven-game skid when they battle the Growling Tigresses on Saturday, Nov. 9, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

The Scores:

FEU (57) – Manguiat 22, Lopez 8, Salvani 7, Dela Torre 6, Nagma 5, Villanueva 4, Paras 4, Pasilang 1, Ong 0.

UE (49) – Lacayanga 15, Kone 12, Ganade 10, Ronquillo 7, Vacalares 5, Cruz 2, Buscar 0, Yanez 0, Dalguntas 0, Lumibao 0.

Quarterscores: 15-18, 31-29, 47-36, 57-51