Ateneo de Manila University completed a huge turnaround in the third quarter to subdue Adamson University, 66-58, to bag its third win of the UAAP Season 85 women’s basketball tournament at the Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
Down by double digits at the start of the third period, the Blue Eagles uncorked a huge 22-0 run paced by the defense of Nigerian student-athlete Sarah Makanjuola. Sandra Villacruz ended the blitz with a three-point play to put Ateneo up, 48-41, 2:43 left in the frame.
Cris Padilla put Adamson within reach after scoring a basket inside with 4:57 remaining in the payoff period, 55-58, but a 6-0 run from Ateneo virtually sealed the win in their favor with 2:56 left in the ball game.
“We really needed this; we are tied with Adamson,” Ateneo head coach LA Mumar said of the win.
Mumar also lauded the Blue Eagles for stepping up even if lead rookie Kacey Dela Rosa was out as she was feeling “under the weather.”
“Si Kacey wasn’t feeling so well, medyo she’s under the weather. You know, Kacey is a very big part of our team. Si Sarah did not play (against UP), if you check the record, she did not play the last game, but we kept on telling her, there is going to be a time; and today was the time. She stepped up and the other girls stepped up,” said Mumar.
“We are not a one- or two-man team. We are not. And I’m glad the girls stepped up and showed na, ‘Hey, we’re a team, we’re Ateneo. We’re not just Joson or Dela Rosa,” added Mumar.
Makanjuola ended with 16 points, 13 rebounds, one assist, and four blocks. Jhazmin Joson also finished with 16 markers and 10 boards, while Junize Calago also ended with a double-double with 13 points and 12 boards.
Adamson, meanwhile, fell to 2-4 — losing its second straight game.
For the Lady Falcons, Nigerian center Victoria Adeshina paced the squad with 14 markers and 13 boards to go with four assists, while rookie Cris Padilla added 13 points. Dindy Medina was limited to just eight points on 27.3-percent shooting from the field.
Ateneo will take on University of the East on Sunday at 11:00 a.m, while Adamson will try to bounce back when they face De La Salle University on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Both games will be held at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Rizal.
The Scores:
Ateneo 66 – Joson 16, Makanjuola 16, Calago 13, Villacruz 11, Nieves 8, Navarro 2, Jajurie 0, Eufemiano 0, Miranda 0, Cruza 0.
Adamson 58 – Adeshina 14, Padilla 13, Dampios 8, Medina 8, Agojo 6, Flor 5, Dela Cruz 2, Ornopia 1, Catulong 1, Alaba Angela 0, Meniano 0, Etang 0, Dumelod 0, Alaba Angeli. 0.
Quarterscores: 16-15, 26-39, 53-47, 66-58.
