MANILA -- The De la Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers survived a slow start to score a come-from-behind 66-51 win against the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs on Wednesday’s 72nd University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Women’s Basketball at the FEU Gym.

The Lady Bulldogs opened its Season 72 campaign with an aggressive stance by taking a 13-9 first quarter lead.

NU seemed headed to an opening day victory until its star center Carmina Laguindanum was sidelined with an injury midway through the third period however.

Laguindanum, who took down 18 rebounds, watched her teammates fall prey to the resurgent Lady Archers in the final quarter.

The Lady Archers capitalized on Laguindanum’s absence and forced the Lady Bulldogs to commit a mind-boggling 37 turnovers. DLSU converted these errors to 24 points.

Lady Bulldogs head coach Benjie Navarro rued Laguindanum’s loss.

"It was difficult for the girls to adjust when Carmina (Laguindanum) was out of the game," Navarro said. Beal Alde, National University correspondent

The Scores:

DLSU 66 – Gloriani 16, Urieta 11, Dimapora 9, Yamamoto , Santos 8, Ong 4, Laureola 4, Viterbo 2, Sancho 2, Calaquian 2, Oyao 0, Ojeda 0, Amador 0.

NU 51 – Mejia 22, Mandap 10, Laguindanum 8, Meneses 3, Cudal 3, Batnag 2, Alla 2, Ramos 1, Santos 0, Parma 0, Letigio 0, Bangal 0.

Quarters: 9-13, 28-30, 45-41, 66-51.