Ateneo de Manila University handed Far Eastern University its first loss of the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament, scoring an 88-66 victory on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
After opening the season with back-to-back defeats, the Blue Eagles have bounced back with two consecutive wins to climb to solo fourth in the standings. The Lady Tamaraws, meanwhile, dropped to a tie for second with National University at 2-1.
“Well, ‘yung main priority ko after ‘yung 0-2 start namin was their confidence. I kept reminding them na start pa lang ng season, and we had top teams in front of us in our first two games,” said Ateneo head coach PJ Navarro. “Kailangan na ‘yung mindset namin next couple of games is mas focused kami.”
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Ateneo seized control early, outscoring FEU, 25-16, in the opening quarter to establish a nine-point lead.
The Blue Eagles continued to dictate the pace in the second period, stretching their advantage to as many as 12 points as the Lady Tamaraws struggled to find their shooting touch. FEU converted just one of its 15 attempts from beyond the arc in the first half.
Ateneo maintained its momentum after the break, extending its lead to 19 points heading into the final quarter.
FEU’s struggles continued in the fourth. Victoria Pasilang fouled out with less than four minutes remaining as the Blue Eagles built a commanding 85-60 advantage.
“Nagagawa ni Kacey [Dela Rosa] ‘yung part niya. Para mas lumakas kami, siguro gagawin rin namin ‘yung role namin as players para mas lumakas ‘yung team,” said Seng Calago, who recorded a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Dela Rosa led all scorers with 25 points and 16 rebounds, adding six steals and two blocks for another dominant all-around performance. Alyssa Rodriguez chipped in 10 points.
The Blue Eagles held FEU to just one three-pointer on 29 attempts. Despite committing 31 turnovers, Ateneo also dominated the boards, outrebounding the Lady Tamaraws, 54-33.
Ateneo will next face defending champion University of Santo Tomas at the Quadricentennial Pavilion on Saturday, October 17.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Meanwhile, Amyah Espanol and Victoria Pasilang — Dela Rosa’s teammates in the 3×3 tournament of the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, where Gilas Pilipinas captured the silver medal — led FEU with 19 and 14 points, respectively. Shane Salvani added 11.
The Lady Tamaraws will look to bounce back against the undefeated Growling Tigresses at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, October 14.
The Scores:
Ateneo 88 – Dela Rosa 25, Calago 11, Rodriguez 10, De Luna 9, Oani 9, Makanjuola 8, Cancio 7, H. Lopez 6, Cruza 3, Subejano 0, L. Lopez 0, Udal 0, Hagedorn 0.
FEU 66 – Espanol 19, Pasilang 14, Salvani 11, Patio 6, Lopez 4, Manguiat 4, Dela Torre 2, Kant 2, Melvida 2, Gavaran 2, Agcambot 0.
Quarterscores: 25-16, 45-38, 71-52, 88-66.
