Reigning two-time MVP Kacey Dela Rosa exploded for 29 points as Ateneo de Manila University opened its UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament campaign with a dominant 81-52 win over University of the East, Wednesday afternoon at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
Banking on the experience of Dela Rosa — fresh off a stint with Gilas Pilipinas Women in the FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup last week — the Blue Eagles shrugged off a slow start.
They turned a slim three-point lead after the first quarter into a decisive 45-27 advantage, leaving the Lady Warriors struggling to keep up.
Beyond notching their 11th consecutive victory over UE since Season 81 (2018), Ateneo — fourth-place finishers in the past three seasons — also spoiled the UAAP coaching debut of Ian Valdez, who took over the Lady Warriors program from Ai Lebornio.
“Sinasabi ko lang sa kanila na first game pa lang ito. Parang warm up lang ito for game and for sure na magste-step up din sila sa mga next games,” said Dela Rosa, who tallied 19 first-half points and finished with 29 on 13-of-18 shooting, along with nine rebounds, five steals, and four blocks.
“Kasi nga first game, sabi nga ni coach parang kinakabahan sila. Ang ending, ginagabayan ko sila.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UE tried to keep pace in the third quarter, but Ateneo’s second-period onslaught proved too much.
A Dela Rosa inside hit and a Cancio layup kept the Blue Eagles firmly in control, 60-41, entering the final frame.
A four-point burst by Dela Rosa, a Kate Cancio layup, and a Monique Fetalvero jumper then stretched the lead to 30, 75-45, with less than four minutes left, effectively sealing the win.
The game was so lopsided that Dela Rosa, who set a career-high of 34 points last season, was subbed out midway through the payoff period.
“Our girls kind of started a little bit tense, so Kacey had to bring the veteran presence—sila ni Sarah (Makanjoula). Our girls were a little bit hyper, I guess [may] first game jitters for most of our girls. Kaya Kacey, the MVP, stepped up, sila ni Sarah,” Blue Eagles head coach LA Mumar said.
Nigerian center Sarah Makanjoula posted a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, alongside three steals, two assists, and one block. Cancio also chipped in 11 points on 3-of-4 shooting with four rebounds, two steals, and one block.
The Blue Eagles aim to sustain their momentum when they face the Adamson University Lady Falcons in a rematch of last season’s Final Four on Sunday, September 28, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, the Lady Warriors, who notched a breakthrough win over De La Salle University in the first round of Season 87 on September 22, 2024, have since dropped 11 straight games in the UAAP.
Aliyah Ronquillo paced UE with 11 points on 3-of-11 shooting, while Rachel Lacayanga added 10 points and two steals.
The Lady Warriors will try to bounce back against University of the Philippines on the same date and venue.
The Scores:
Ateneo (81) – Dela Rosa 29, Makanjoula 15, Cancio 11, Oani 7, Villacruz 5, Fetalvero 4, Malagar 3, Lopez 3, De Luna 2, Olivenza 2, Batongbakal 9, Lopez 0, Chan 0.
UE (52) – Ronquillo 11, Lacayanga 10, Vacalares 7, Yanez 6, Buscar 4, Onate 4, Gomez 2, Salise 2, Lituania 2, Dalguntas 2, Trinidad 2, Delig 0, Gullim 0, Ramos 0, Lumibao 0, Solomon 0.
Quarterscores: 21-18, 45-27, 60-41, 81-52.
