THE ATENEO Blue Eagles caught fire in the fourth quarter to escape the University of the East (UE) Lady Red Warriors’ scare, 73-62, earlier today at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Blue and White capped the first round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Women’s Basketball in fourth place with a 4-3 standing.
Jhazmin Joson stuffed the statsheet with 20 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, three steals, and one block. Sarah Makanjuola made up for Kacey Dela Rosa’s absence by recording 17 points, and seven blocks, while grabbing 21 of Ateneo’s 68 rebounds.
[POST-GAME STATS]
— Juris Salvanera (@Juris_TheGUIDON) October 23, 2022
• Another all around game for captain @jhazmin_joson: 20 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds, and three steals.
• Ateneo out-rebounded UE, 68-49. 21 of those 68 rebounds came from center Sarah Makanjuola.@TheGUIDONSports #UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/7sx9RjUyxh
The Katipunan side recovered from their sloppy plays in the first quarter as LJ Miranda’s efficient drives allowed the Blue and White to secure an 8-3 run. Makanjuola also provided a solid presence in the paint to keep UE at bay, solidifying Ateneo’s lead at 20-14.
It was Joson’s time to shine in the next canto after snatching the ball and converting the first two points. From there, the Lady Red Warriors sparked a mini-comeback courtesy of Pauline Anastacio’s five quick markers which cut Ateneo’s lead to two, 25-27.
Thankfully, Makanjuola continued to dominate underneath the paint, dropping six points while protecting the basket well on the other end. Ateneo sat on a comfortable 36-29 cushion by halftime.
Despite Ateneo’s seven-point advantage, the Lady Red Warriors were able to quickly close the gap after pulling away with scoring runs of their own, 39-40. Ateneo center Makanjuola quickly fought back with easy baskets, while veterans Miranda, Joson, and Sandra Villacruz led the team to a 49-43 advantage. Despite the Lady Red Warriors’ consecutive baskets that slowed down the AWBT’s momentum, the Blue Eagles ended the quarter with a 51-45 lead.
Ateneo then effortlessly cruised through the beginning of the fourth quarter at 56-50. Joson and Calago’s nifty scoring gambits also gave the Blue Eagles space to regain their footing despite the resurgent Lady Red Warriors’ three-pointers.
The Blue and White continued to be unfazed by the Manila-based squad by maintaining a steady rhythm all throughout the quarter. Despite a rise in the Lady Red Warriors’ trips to the charity stripe, the Blue Eagles stepped up to the challenge with team captain Joson commanding the tides.
Up by just three points in the final canto, Ateneo uncorked a 13-to-nothing run off Joson-Makanjuola connection to pull away, 73-62, for their third straight win and their fourth victory this season.
Stay tuned to The GUIDON Sports for more updates on the second round of UAAP Women’s Basketball as the Ateneo Blue Eagles continue their bid for the Final Four.
Box Scores:
Ateneo (73): Joson – 20, Makanjuola – 17, Miranda – 14, Villacruz – 13, Eufemiano – 7, Calago – 2
UE (62): Terrinal – 14, Anastacio – 11, Kone – 10, Caraig – 9, Lorena – 7, Nama – 5, Paule – 5, Sajol – 1
Quarter Scores:
Ateneo-UE: 20-14, 36-29, 51-45, 73-62
