Ateneo de Manila University used a strong third quarter anchored on the might of their center Danica Jose as the Lady Eagles pulled away late to dispatch University of the Philippines, 56-43 Thursday in the UAAP Season 78 women’s basketball tournament at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Jose poured 8 of her 23 points in the decisive third quarter where the Lady Eagles outscored the Lady Maroons, 21-8 to post a 40-28 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Jose powered the Lady Eagles’ interior presence as well, grabbing a team-high 17 rebounds to go with 2 blocks and 7-for-7 shooting from the foul line.
After two baskets by Bea Daez tied the count at 24-all early in the third frame, Ateneo launched a 10-2 run behind 6 points from Jose and 4 more from Hazelle Yam to build a 34-26 gap.
Back to back hits by Caramia Buendia towards the end of the third made it 40-28 for the Lady Eagles.
Ateneo kept attacking the paint using dribble-penetration and extended the lead to 46-32, before a 8-0 blast behind Daez and Janeena Tatel pulled UP within 40-46 in a last-ditch effort to steal the game.
But Yam scored 6 of the next 8 Ateneo points to seal the victory for the Lady Eagles, which improved to 1-2.
Yam finished with 10 points to provide support for Jose while Buendia added 9 markers.
The Lady Maroons, which remained winless at 0-3, were led by Daez with 16 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. Tatel added 10 points in the losing effort.
Ateneo made use of their height advantage to post a 20-7 edge in second chance points, and also scored 38 points inside the paint compared to only 14 for UP.
Scores:
Ateneo (56) – Jose 23, Yam 10, Buendia 9, Guytingco 5, Tomita 4, Go 3, Javier 2, Nitorreda 0, Posadas 0, Lamar 0, Veloso 0, Newsome 0, Payac 0, Aseron 0.
UP (43) – Daez 16, Tatel 10, Pesquera 9, Rodas 3, Lapid 2, Esplana 2, Erquiaga 1, Medina 0, Oliva 0, Eder 0, Tan 0, Isip 0, Ordoveza 0.
Quarterscores: 6-15, 19-20, 40-28, 56-43.
