As crunch time is drawing closer and closer in the UAAP Season 85 Women’s Basketball Tournament, more and more players are stepping up for Ateneo de Manila University.
The likes of Jhazmin Joson and Kacey Dela Rosa regularly steal the show while the likes of Sarah Makanjuola and LJ Miranda have chipped in as well.
On Saturday against Adamson University, it was Sandra Villacruz’s time to shine as she scored 21 points to help Ateneo escape with a 76-72 victory.
“I think in the fourth quarter, I really needed to step up also as the coaches were talking to me halftime. Ayun, buti na lang nagising na ako,” said the Jubilee Christian Academy alumna.
“I think it was easier to get the 21 points because a lot of the defense was on our two main players, Jhazmin Joson and Kacey Dela Rosa, so the lanes were pretty much open.”
Leading by as much as 14 points in the contest, the Blue Eagles allowed the Lady Falcons to flirt with a comeback as the latter trimmed the deficit to just 72-74 with just 43.5 seconds remaining.
While Adamson was making its run in the fourth quarter, Villacruz helped Ateneo keep the opposition at bay by scoring 11 points during that period.
“I’m very happy for Sandra. We’ve been rooting for her. We know that Sandra’s talented. You know, she would score 40, 50 (points) when she was in high school,” said Blue Eagles coach LA Mumar. “We feel the talent is there along with other players. Obviously, in the second round, a lot of teams are keying on Kacey and Jhaz. So Sarah stepped up the other game, now naman si Sandra.
“We really need a lot of people because the opportunities are there. Naka-double team dun sa dalawa. I’m very, very happy and again it’s part of the maturing process for us.”
Villacruz’s contributions allowed Ateneo to strengthen its hold of fourth place in the standings with a 5-3 record.
Entering the postseason for the first time since Season 78 is the dream for the Blue Eagles. With more and more playing stepping up this season, they might finally be able to find a way out of the wilderness.
