THE ATENEO Women’s Basketball Team (AWBT) crumbled in a tight match against the defending champions National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 60-74, at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Ateneo now holds a 5-4 win-loss standing in the second round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Women’s Basketball tournament.
Rookie sensation Kacey Dela Rosa produced yet another double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Junize Calago contributed 16 points of her own, converting four three-point field goals from six attempts. Dyna Nieves followed with 10 points and two blocks, while Jhazmin Joson gave a nifty nine points and nine assists.
The game opened with back-and-forth baskets from both teams. While NU focused on spotting up for open jumpers, Ateneo sought to penetrate the inside lane. The Blue Eagles ultimately shut down numerous attempts from the Lady Bulldogs in the post, giving Ateneo a slim 18-16 lead to end the opening quarter.
[FIRST QUARTER]
— Juris Salvanera (@Juris_TheGUIDON) November 2, 2022
Calago recollects and floats on in!
Ateneo 18 NU 16#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/OqKxjH3K8i
In the second period, Ateneo struggled to maintain composure after forcing bad shots and rushing offensive possessions. NU then caught fire from the outside arc and sparked an 8-0 run, which found the Lady Bulldogs upfront by five, 32-27. With rookie standout Kacey Dela Rosa sitting out most of the quarter due to foul trouble, Ateneo found themselves at the short end of a 29-37 outing to end the first half.
The Blue Eagles then played most of the third quarter behind the Lady Bulldogs. Patient offense and careful passes defined Ateneo’s sets, allowing them to trim the lead to one at 48-49 late in the period. However, costly turnovers from the Blue and White eventually gave NU a five-point 57-52 lead to enter the final frame.
AWBT captain Joson anchored Ateneo early in the fourth quarter, notching a steal to start the Blue Eagle offense.
[FOURTH QUARTER]
— Juris Salvanera (@Juris_TheGUIDON) November 2, 2022
Joson gets the steal and take it all the way to the basket!
Ateneo 54 NU 57@TheGUIDONSports#UAAPBasketball
Despite Joson’s efforts to will the team back into the game, Ateneo struggled to hit their field goals as the period went on. Pressured by a smothering NU defense, the AWBT shooters simply failed to connect with the cylinder. In the end, the NU Lady Bulldogs pulled away with a 14-point advantage as the buzzer sounded.
The Blue Eagles will go up against their arch rivals De La Salle University Lady Archers at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Sunday, November 6, at 3:00 PM.
Box score:
Ateneo (60): Dela Rosa – 16, Calago – 16, Nieves – 10, Joson – 9, Miranda – 5, Makanjuola – 2, Villacruz – 2
NU (74): Clarin – 16, Canuto – 13, Pingol – 11, Cacho – 10, Edimo Tiky – 10, Cayabyab – 8, Fabruada – 6
Quarter scores:
Ateneo-NU: 18-16, 29-37, 52-57, 60-74
