THE ATENEO Blue Eagles (1-2) crumble against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers (2-1), 67-75. The University Athletic Association of the Philippines Women’s Basketball Tournament match-up between the bitter foes was held earlier today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Standout rookie Kaycee Dela Rosa posted a double-double to lead the Blue Eagles—scoring 21 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Veteran guard Jhazmin Joson followed with 14 points, nine assists, four rebounds, and four steals.
Lee Sario was at the forefront of La Salle’s offense this game, posting numbers of 19 points and 11 rebounds. Foreign student-athlete Fina Niantucho Tchuido followed suit with a double-double as well—scoring 13 points and getting 10 rebounds.
Despite trailing by as much as ten in the first half, 12-22, the Blue Eagles clawed their way back, using their stifling defensive sets then transitioned into breaking the Lady Archers’ full court press on offense. However, the Katipunan-based squad went into the half down 33-36–courtesy of a Bea Dalisay three and a Charmaine Torres bucket in favor of DLSU.
It was a push-and-pull endeavor all throughout the second half as neither of the teams let up. Rallying their troops, the ladies from Taft unlatched a 10-4 run early in the final frame to give them a nine point cushion, 66-57. Instead of folding, the Blue and White answered with a 8-0 run of their own, highlighted by an LJ Miranda and-one play and a Dela Rosa inside score.
With the game still up for grabs at 67-70, De La Salle guard Lee Sario connected on a solid three pointer with 54.3 seconds left on the clock to give the Green and White a six point cushion. Ultimately, the Blue Eagles were unable to mount any kind of late comeback, dropping their second consecutive game, 67-75.
The Blue and White will look to bounce back when they come up against Season 82 finalists, the University of Santo Tomas Lady Tigresses (2-1) on Wednesday, October 12, 1:00 PM at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Box Scores:
Ateneo (67): Dela Rosa – 21, Joson – 14, Miranda – 9, Eufemiano – 8 Calago – 7, Nieves – 6, Makanjuola – 2
DLSU (75): Sario – 19, Tchuido – 13, Torres – 12, Binaohan – 10, Dela Paz – 6, Arciga – 5, Ahmed – 4, Dalisay – 3, Espinas – 2, Jimenez – 1
Quarter Scores:
Ateneo-DLSU: 12-19, 33-36, 53-56, 67-75
