Changing green in high school to blue in college, Erica de Luna announced her arrival in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament, powering Ateneo de Manila University against archrival De La Salle University.
De Luna, who only managed a combined 10 points in her first two collegiate outings, broke out with 11 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal as the Blue Eagles routed the Lady Archers, 77-58, on Sunday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
For the highly-touted rookie out of De La Salle Zobel—coming off an explosive campaign in the UAAP Season 87 High School Girls’ Basketball Tournament—the performance was extra special, especially since it came against the collegiate counterpart of her former school.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Syempre po una sa lahat nagpapasalamat po ako sa coaching staff and teammates ko kasi pinagkatiwalaan po nila ako para maglaro sa game na ito and malaking opportunity po makalaro sa rivalry game na ito,” said De Luna, now wearing Ateneo blue on the other side of the rivalry.
“Syempre yung transition ko po medyo nagadjust po ako. Since nakalaban din naman po namin ang La Salle nung preseason, mas naging ready po ako, mas pinaghandaan po namin yung game na ito,” she added.
De Luna first made headlines in last season’s UAAP high school tournament when she accomplished a feat never before seen in the league’s 87-year history.
The 5-foot-4 guard recorded the first quadruple-double across all five divisions of the UAAP on March 3, 2025—her final high school game—tallying 32 points, 16 rebounds, 12 steals, and 11 assists against Ateneo. That performance, fittingly, caught the Blue Eagles’ attention.
Blue Eagles assistant coach Reggie Varilla said their faith in De Luna comes from her unique talent and fearless mindset.
“Erica plays with a lot of swag tapos she enjoys the game. Hindi siya kinakabahan. Actually, sabi niya nga kanina dito lang siya sa interview kinakabahan eh,” Varilla shared.
“On the court, it’s her playground so sobrang laki ng trust sa kanya ng coaching staff namin kasi she knows what she’s gonna do.”
With Ateneo already leaning on the inside dominance of back-to-back MVP Kacey dela Rosa and Sarah Makanjuola, the emergence of guards Kai Oani, Camille Malagar, and now De Luna gives the Blue Eagles a backcourt that perfectly complements their frontcourt power.
