Kacey Dela Rosa has been a phenomenon in UAAP Women’s Basketball ever since her arrival in Season 85.
The 6-foot-1 center was named Rookie of the Year that season before capturing Most Valuable Player honors in Seasons 86 and 87. She has also been part of the UAAP Elite Team in all four of her playing years.
But while individual success has defined Dela Rosa’s collegiate career, team success has been harder to come by.
Ateneo de Manila University appeared to be under a frustrating spell during her first three years, with the Blue Eagles falling short of a podium finish and settling for fourth place in all three seasons.
Season 88, however, marked a turning point. Dela Rosa helped lead Ateneo back to the podium. The team secured the bronze medal after defeating Adamson University in the first phase of the stepladder, 66-56, before narrowly missing a finals berth in a 66-67 loss to National University.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
With the Blue Eagles trending upward, Dela Rosa vowed to make her final year count.
“Yeah, I think tatapusin ko yung last playing year ko sa Ateneo, and sana makuha namin yung championship,” said Dela Rosa on Sunday during the UAAP women’s 3×3 tournament, where they also clinched bronze.
Sandra Villacruz and Gracie Batongbakal were the only departures from the Season 88 lineup that delivered Ateneo’s first podium finish since Season 78.
Nigerian center Sarah Makanjuola will continue to anchor the paint alongside Dela Rosa, while Kai Oani, Erica De Luna, and Camille Malagar are expected to lead the backcourt.
“I think yung relationship din namin sa loob ng team, and yun, parang gusto ko ibigay yung lahat sa Ateneo, kasi yung last playing year ko, gusto ko naman umalis nang may gold,” said Dela Rosa, who was also part of the Blue Eagles quartet that won gold in the Season 87 3×3 tournament.
