Kacey Dela Rosa may have been dethroned as the UAAP Women’s Basketball Most Valuable Player after Ann Pingol claimed the crown this Season 88.
But for the two-time MVP of Ateneo de Manila University, everything’s fine as long as her team keeps winning.
After finishing fourth in her first three seasons, Dela Rosa and the Blue Eagles are now assured of a podium finish after defeating the Adamson Lady Falcons, 66-56, in the stepladder quarterfinal on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Head coach LA Mumar shared that Dela Rosa was already aware her stats might dip this season, given Ateneo’s deeper lineup capable of competing against the division’s top teams.
“Nung start ng season, credit to this girl, sabi ko Kacey baka hindi ka mag-MVP ha kasi medyo marami tayo, mas loaded tayo ngayon. Your stats might suffer a bit,” said Mumar.
“‘Coach, no problem’,” he recalled Dela Rosa replying.
“No ego — this MVP has no ego. Write that down. Team player, hindi nagreklamo, magulang nito hindi nagreklamo, they just want to win. And I think it speaks of her character, really, just saying na I don’t care about the MVP, it’s really about team first.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The 6-foot center’s numbers did drop but remained impressive, averaging 18.36 points, 14.64 rebounds, 2.36 assists, and 2.57 blocks in the elimination round.
During her MVP run in Season 87, Dela Rosa posted 22.1 points, 16.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 3.7 blocks per game.
“When they announced, unang-una, congratulations kay Ann, she deserves it. When na-announce, tinawagan ko si Kacey, ‘Coach, walang problema. We want to win, and I want to win the championship more than MVP’,” shared Mumar.
“Ang gusto niya na lang daw ay Finals MVP sana. Yun ang usapan.”
And what better way to prove her mettle than by facing the presumptive MVP Ann Pingol and National University in the stepladder semifinal on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
However, the fourth-year senior isn’t focusing on Pingol. She remains focused on proving that the Blue Eagles are for real this season and can compete not just for a podium finish, but for the championship.
NU won both matchups against Ateneo: 83-79 in the first round after a late rally, and 69-47 in the second round, a game where Sarah Makanjuola did not play.
“Gusto ko lang din mapatunayan sa NU na hindi lang sila ‘yung kaya makipag-compete sa ganoong level pero kami rin. We just pray for that win,” said Dela Rosa.
