REIGNING MVP Kacey de la Rosa towed Ateneo de Manila University to a much-needed victory, snapping a three-game losing streak in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament with a 70-57 win over archrival De La Salle University on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
De la Rosa delivered an outstanding performance, contributing 28 points, 16 rebounds, and five steals, helping the Blue Eagles regroup after consecutive losses to the UST Growling Tigresses and NU Lady Bulldogs.
With this victory, Ateneo improved its win-loss record to 5-5, solidifying its hold on fourth place and creating separation from the 3-5 UP Fighting Maroons.
“Yung mindset lang namin coming into the game kasi we almost lost to La Salle last round, so kahit nanalo kami last round, syempre inisip namin na we have to come back stronger,” the 20-year-old center said. “Kailangan namin matalo ang La Salle kasi it’s a rivalry game kaya this is an important win for us.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Blue Eagles overcame a 31-36 first-half deficit, establishing a 15-point cushion at 59-44. This turnaround was fueled by two consecutive three-pointers from rookie Kai Oani, capping a dominant 28-8 run that extended from late in the third quarter into the early moments of the fourth.
Although Patricia Mendoza and Luisa San Juan attempted to spark a comeback for the Green Archers by cutting the lead to as low as eight points in the fourth quarter, back-to-back inside baskets from de la Rosa and a three-pointer from Oani helped the Blue Eagles regain control with a 67-52 lead, sealing their bounce-back win.
“I think we really came out medyo tentative and hindi rin kami nakapagpractice ng buo kasi binagyo rin kami. It was really more about energy and being detailed with the game plan. When we started doing that, things started going well for us,” said Ateneo head coach LA Mumar.
This victory further asserted Ateneo’s mastery over their rival, La Salle, whom they narrowly defeated in their first-round matchup, 65-62, on September 15.
Despite being held scoreless in the first half, Oani still ended the day with a career-best 17-point outing to go along with three rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Season 86 Mythical Five member Junize Calago was limited to nine points on 3-of-14 shooting but still contributed seven assists, four rebounds, and one steal.
Nigerian center Sarah Makanjoula chipped in seven points on 3-of-4 shooting to go along with seven rebounds and three steals.
Looking ahead, the Blue Eagles aim to continue their momentum in another rivalry game against their Katipunan neighbors, the Fighting Maroons, on Wednesday, October 30, at the same Pasay venue.
On the other hand, the Lady Archers remained in seventh place in the eight-team league after absorbing their second consecutive loss with a 2-8 record.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
San Juan still ended the day with 19 points but struggled from the field with 7-of-21 shooting to go along with eight rebounds and three assists, while Lee Sario contributed 11 points, six rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
Kyla Sunga scored eight points, seven rebounds, and one assist, while Bea Dalisay was held to three points but still grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds, five assists, and one steal.
Meanwhile, the Lady Archers will seek to rebound against the struggling FEU Lady Tamaraws on Wednesday, November 6, also at the same Pasay venue.
The Scores:
Ateneo (70) – Dela Rosa 28, Oani 17, Calago 9, Makanjoula 7, Angala 3, Villacruz 2, Batongbakal 2, Aquirre 2, Cancio 0, Nieves 0.
DLSU (57) – San Juan 19, Sario 11, Mendoza 8, Sunga 8, Paraiso 4, Dalisay 3, Dela Paz 3, Rodriguez 1, Bacierto 0, Villavacua 0.
Quarterscores: 18-21, 31-36, 54-44, 70-57.
