In the first phase of the UAAP Season 87 collegiate women’s basketball stepladder, Adamson University faced off against Ateneo de Manila University, with the Blue Eagles boasting a clear height advantage thanks to their twin towers, Kacey dela Rosa and Sarah Makanjuola.
But the Lady Falcons had their own weapon: their “Big E.”
That “Big E” carried Adamson to the second phase of the stepladder after a gritty overtime win against Ateneo, 59-53, on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“While we were in the huddle earlier, coach Ryan told us again and again na we can win this game with a Big E. So ano ‘yung E na ‘yun? ‘Yun ‘yung big effort na dapat gagawin namin kasi kung magbaback down kami sa mga fouls na hindi favor sa amin pati mga shots, hindi talaga namin masusungkit ‘yung panalo,” said Elaine Etang, who led the team with 22 points.
Effort, often unmeasured in the stat sheet, became the defining factor for Adamson. Despite their undersized lineup, the Lady Falcons dominated the offensive rebounding battle, spearheaded by their three guards.
The 5-foot-2 Kim Limbago hauled in six offensive rebounds, 5-foot-3 Etang grabbed three, and 5-foot-4 Apag secured two. These three were also Adamson’s leading rebounders, with Apag finishing with 10 boards, Limbago with nine, and Etang with eight.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Lipad lang nang lipad. Talon lang nang talon. Nagka-cramps na nga kami kanina kakatalon eh pero ‘yung kagustuhan lang talaga namin na makuha ‘yung bola offensive or defensive. It’s about wanting it more,” said Apag, whose clutch jumper sent the game into overtime.
“Talon lang nang talon, bahala na basta makuha lang ‘yung bola,” added Limbago.
On defense, the Lady Falcons’ relentless pressure forced Ateneo into committing 34 turnovers, which Adamson converted into 26 points. Their high-energy play also led to an astonishing 99 field-goal attempts—40 more than Ateneo’s 59.
“They have the twin towers na Mythical Team. Si Junize kung hindi nasuspend baka part siya ng Mythical team na yun, so I was just telling my players about the Big E. The Big E is bigger than any big woman or any center inside that court,” said Adamson head coach Ryan Monteclaro.
“Yung effort, it goes down to a lot of things eh. It’s not about who you’re facing. There’s no height with effort. Walang height sa effort, wala rin weight sa effort. It’s about pure work.”
Adamson now turns its focus to second-seeded University of Santo Tomas, their opponent in the next phase on Wednesday. The Lady Falcons are determined to bring their “Big E” once again.
“‘Yun nga sabi ni coach, big effort. Kailangan din namin sa susunod na laban namin. Kailangan namin ng mas pinakamalaking Big E,” said Limbago.
