THE ATENEO Blue Eagles snap their three-game slide after stunning the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons with a 67-61 comeback win inside the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
With the victory, the Blue and White improved to a 2-3 record and climbed up to the fourth spot in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Women’s Basketball Tournament rankings.
Kacey Dela Rosa erupted with a monster double-double of 30 points and 20 rebounds, accompanying it with seven blocks. Sandra Villacruz and Jhazmin Joson provided support with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Ateneo started out sloppy in the first quarter, no thanks to its turnovers that led the team to an early six-point deficit, 12-18. Joson, however, fought back in the last minutes of the quarter with a clutch triple that initiated a five-point run for the Blue Eagles, 20-22.
[FIRST QUARTER]
— Juris Salvanera (@Juris_TheGUIDON) October 16, 2022
The first quarter ends with the Fighting Maroons up by only two points.
Ateneo 20 UP 22#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/2CqJqXUTIT
The AWBT opened the second quarter with an improved defensive look, leading to much-needed fastbreak points. While free throw misses continued to plague Ateneo as they trailed, 22-28, Joson and Dela Rosa kept putting up points to cut the Fighting Maroons’ lead down. However, UP managed to execute a mini-run to end the halftime up at 39-35.
The second half of the match marked a clean slate for the AWBT as they were able to regain their footing once again. Early drives to the basket from Dela Rosa, Sandra Villacruz, and Junize Calago proved to be favorable for the Blue Eagles, giving them the lead at 47-46.
[THIRD QUARTER]
— Juris Salvanera (@Juris_TheGUIDON) October 16, 2022
Villacruz opens up the third frame with a strong layup!
Ateneo 37 UP 39@TheGUIDONSports #UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/iSmUGyAPoT
Although both teams kept the scores close to each other throughout the third frame, the Blue Eagles wrapped up the quarter with a three-point lead, 53-50.
In the final quarter, the Blue Eagles asserted their dominance with their offensive gambits and plays. On top of her impressive performance, Dela Rosa exhibited her reputation as a primary contributor to Ateneo’s offensive execution by amassing eight points in the final canto alone.
[THIRD QUARTER]
— Juris Salvanera (@Juris_TheGUIDON) October 16, 2022
Dela Rosa is fouled on her drive to the basket. She completes her trip from the line.
Ateneo 57 UP 52#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/7BkTCWi3Rs
By the end of the bout, the AWBT was able to maintain their composure and emerge as victors with their second win of the tournament, 67-61.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles’ next game is set to take place at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion in the City of Manila at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, October 19, against the Adamson University Lady Falcons.
Box Scores:
Ateneo (67): Dela Rosa – 30, Villcruz – 12, Joson – 11, Calago – 6, Miranda – 4, Nieves – 4
UP (61): Pesquera- 16, Bariquit – 13, Lozada – 9, Tapawan – 8, Sanchez – 5, Vingno – 4, Domingo – 2, Maw – 2, Jimenez – 2
Quarter Scores:
Ateneo-FEU: 20-22, 35-39, 53-50, 67-61
