Kacey Dela Rosa felt happy that she received the Most Valuable Award in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Basketball Tournament but admitted that it was not her primary goal before the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ campaign started.
The sophomore center averaged 18.93 points and 11.93 rebounds in 15 games this year to lead the Blue Eagles to their second straight Final Four appearance. This is her second individual award from the UAAP as she was the Rookie of the Year back in Season 85.
Unfortunately, she and the rest of her Ateneo teammates missed out on the finals after defending champions National University eliminated them in the semifinals and she had an idea of what they needed to improve on for next season if they wanted to go one better.
“Bonus lang yung award ko,” said the Gilas Pilipinas member. “Ang goal kasi namin nila coach ay magchampion talaga.
“I think need namin bawasan ang turnovers kasi yun yung nagdadala sa amin at by the time na maghahabol kami, wala ng chance. Turnovers talaga.”
Before UAAP Season 86 commenced, Dela Rosa gained invaluable experience as a member of the Gilas team that competed in the Jones Cup.
Nothing beats competing internationally and her vast improvement was apparent throughout the Blue Eagles’ games.
While she insisted she wanted to rest first now that her season is over, her past foray left a strong impression on her.
“Malaking tulong siya for me kasi grabe yung experience dun. Yung mga kalaban super tangkad,” the 19-year-old standout out of Chiang Kai Shek said.
Ateneo’s last championship in the women’s division came in Season 70. Without a doubt, Dela Rosa, as the team’s captain, will be gunning for it next year.
However, she is already wary of some potential competition for the throne. UP will remain formidable with Rookie of the Year Favour Onoh and guard Louna Ozar and it promises to be another exciting season.
“Pressured ako. Third year ko pa lang, need ko na mag-lead sa team na puro rookies din. Thankful na din ako mag-lead sa team dahil mas matulungan ko sila sa experiences,” she said.
“Mahirap kalaban si Onoh kase grabe ang haba niya tapos tangkad niya. Kahit mag fadeaway ako, ma-block niya pa din so siguro kinakabahan pa rin.”
