After suppressing a late fourth quarter run by their opponents, the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Blue Eagles opened the second round of the women’s basketball tournament with their second straight win, 56-49, over Battle of Katipunan rivals the University of the Philippines Fighting Lady Maroons.
Danica Jose had 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Lady Eagles, who led a third quarter charge that helped Ateneo overtake UP after having trailed for most of the first half. The Lady Eagles scored six dismal points in the first half, pulling together only in the second quarter to narrow in on UP 22-24 at halftime.
With the Lady Eagles beginning to pull away in the third quarter, UP suffered another blow when key player Antonia Wong fouled out with only three and a half minutes remaining in the quarter. With Jose continuing to dominate the paint, the Lady Maroons could only watch as the Lady Eagles built an eight-point lead by the end of the quarter, 40-32.
Claire Aseron and Likha Javier would continue the assault for the Lady Eagles in the fourth quarter, However, spurred on by Bea Daez and Janeena Tatel, would slowly chip away at the Lady Eagles’ lead. A three-point basket by Daez would cut Ateneo’s lead to three, after having lead as much as eleven earlier in the quarter, with only three and half minutes on the clock. Though within striking distance, UP would struggle to find the equalizer, and back-to-back baskets from Danica Jose would put Ateneo up 52-47 entering the final two minutes. With UP continuing to struggle, the Lady Eagles would capitalize on free throw baskets by Aseron and Jose to seal the win.
Bea Daez led the scoring for UP with 21 points. Still winless in the tournament, the Lady Maroons sink to a 0-8 hole, while ADMU climb to 4-4 to open the second round.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FT | |
| ADMU | 6 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 56 |
| UST | 11 | 13 | 8 | 17 | 49 |
