Ateneo de Manila University exacted revenge on Adamson University, 70-52, in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Blue Eagles made up for their 79-70 first-round loss to the Lady Falcons, returning to the win column after suffering an 84-60 defeat to the NU Lady Bulldogs on Wednesday.
With the victory, Ateneo improved to 4-5 in the standings, keeping its Final Four hopes alive.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Start pa lang ng second round, mindset namin we need to win all games. Unfortunately, ‘di kami nakalusot sa NU, but for now, we’re happy for the win, and we have five more games,” said head coach PJ Navarro.
Seng Calago spearheaded the Blue Eagles with a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds, to go with seven assists and a steal.
Kacey Dela Rosa also posted a double-double despite being hampered by foul trouble, finishing with 18 points, 11 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.
The Lady Falcons mounted a second-quarter fightback after falling behind by as many as 14 points, closing out the first half with a 14-3 run to knot the game at 35-all.
Ateneo, however, regained control in the third quarter, rebuilding its 14-point cushion behind an impressive three-point shooting display from Kai Oani, Alyssa Rodriguez, and Calago to take a 53-39 lead.
The Blue Eagles pulled off the run even with Dela Rosa spending an extended stretch on the bench after picking up early foul trouble.
Ateneo sustained its hot outside shooting in the final frame, stretching its advantage to as much as 21 points while limiting Adamson to just seven points in the fourth quarter.
“In order to win ‘yung game na to, alam naman natin yung strengths ni Kacey. We need to help siya para manalo ‘yung game na to,” said Calago.
Oani was the other Blue Eagle to finish in double figures, contributing 11 points on three-of-four shooting from beyond the arc.
Ateneo will next face archrival UP in the Battle of Katipunan on Saturday, November 7, at 12 p.m. at the same venue.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Meanwhile, Adamson slipped to 4-4 and is now tied with the UP Fighting Maroons for fourth place in the standings.
Elaine Etang paced the Lady Falcons with 12 points, six steals, four rebounds, and four assists, while Angeline Alaba chipped in 11 points and six rebounds in the losing effort.
Adamson will look to bounce back when it takes on UP on Wednesday, November 4, at 12 p.m. at the same venue.
The Scores:
Ateneo (70) – Calago 23, Dela Rosa 18, Oani 11, Rodriguez 8, Makanjoula 6, De Luna 4, Cruza 0, Subejano 0, H. Lopez 0, Udal 0, Hagedorn 0, L. Lopez 0.
AdU (52) – Etang 12, Alaba 11, Meniano 9, Apag 8, Adeshina 6, Burgos 4, Limbago 1, Villaester 1, Muñoz 0, Bajo 0, Manlimos 0, Medina 0, Tano 0, Cortez 0, Mazo 0.
Quarterscores: 21-14, 35-35, 53-45, 70-52
