The UE Lady Warriors celebrate a historic win against La Salle in the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament, September 22, 2024 at the Mall of Asia Arena. UAAP Media

MANILA -- For the first time in five years, the University of the East women's basketball team has won a UAAP game.

The Lady Warriors overpowered De La Salle University, 65-47, in the UAAP Season 87 tournament on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena to finally end a 40-game losing streak that has spanned half a decade.

Leading the way for UE were the trifecta of Jearzy Ganade, Moana Vacalares, and Aliyah Ronquillo, who were all emotional after the breakthrough triumph.

"Nanalo rin kami. ‘Yon ang masarap kasi rookie team ito, talagang bago kasi lahat ng players ko, so ‘yun lang naman goal namin, ‘yung kultura ng UE maibalik namin," said long-time Lady Warriors head coach Ai Lebornio. "Since day one na nag-coach ako dito, 2013, parang ‘yun yung nawala eh."

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The Lady Warriors last won on September 21, 2019, when they escaped with a slim 68-66 triumph against the University of the Philippines.

Against La Salle on Sunday, they put on a defensive showcase as they limited the Lady Archers to just 14 points in the second and third quarters to take a comfortable 49-32 lead heading into the final frame.

Ronquillo's layup extended UE's lead to 21 points early in the fourth period, as they not only claimed their first win but also sent La Salle to its worst start since Season 80. 

In her first season back after a two-year hiatus from the UAAP, Ganade led the charge in the historic win with 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting, complemented by six rebounds and six assists.

Lacayanga notched a double-double performance with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Ronquillo contributed 11 points and eight assists.

Luisa San Juan led the Lady Archers in the losing effort with 14 points and five rebounds, while Patricia Mendoza added 10 points as La Salle fell to a 0-4 record.

The Scores:

UE (65) – Ganade 15, Lacayanga 13, Ronquillo 11, Vacalares 9, Ruiz 9, Yanez 5, Kone 3, Dalguntas 0, Buscar 0, Cruz 0, Lumibao 0.

DLSU (47) – San Juan 14, Mendoza 10, Camba 4, Sario 4, Sunga 4, Rodriguez 3, Santos 2, Dela Paz 2, Paraiso 2, Delos Reyes 2, Villava-Cua 0, Catalan 0, Bacierto 0.

Quarterscores: 21-18, 37-26, 49-32, 65-47