THE ATENEO Lady Eagles are off to the championship round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 78 Women’s Basketball tournament after defeating De La Salle University, 62-50 on Saturday, November 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Hazelle Yam led the Blue and White with 15 points–a familiar sight for the Lady Eagles throughout their campaign. Jolina Go and Danica Jose followed Yam with 13 and 11 points, respectively. Go’s strongest quarter was in the third–where she scored seven of her 13 points–while Jose scored six of her points in the fourth quarter.
“Siyempre, masaya kami, pero kailangan parin naming mag-work hard para sa finals (Of course, we are happy, but we need to work hard for the finals),” Yam said. “Sabi nga yung coach namin, every game nag-improve kami and sana ma-reach na talaga naming yung game kasi kaya pa talaga (As our coach said, we have improved every game and hopefully we reach our best game because we still can).”
This win has left the players, and the people behind them, ecstatic. “Not only do they have a shot at the championship, but it’s forever going to be with them,” said Head Coach Erika Dy on the mindset of her players. “The lessons they have–facing adversities and overcoming their challenges–they’re going to bring that to wherever they move on [to].”
She said that the team has worked so hard together and that it has been a learning process for the players. When asked about the strategies or motivation they will have for their next game, Dy replied, “We make sure that everyday we play for each other.”
History in the making
The Lady Eagles have earned a chance to take home the championship as they face the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs in the finals—making it the first time since Season 70 (2007) that they have reached this far in the tournament. It will be a daunting assignment for the Blue and White, with NU owning a thrice-to-beat advantage after remaining undefeated (14-0) throughout the elimination round.
“Let’s not expect anything,” said UAAP Announcer Rolly Manlapaz, when asked about the upcoming championship tilt. He states that the NU Lady Bulldogs are tough to beat, but adds that making it to the finals is already a big achievement for the Lady Eagles.
When asked about the Lady Eagles this season as compared to those of past games, Manlapaz says, “They got heart, and they’ve got loyalty.” He adds that Yam, Go, Jose, and Katrina Guytingco have made lasting impressions on him during the Ateneo campaign.
The first game of the championship round will be at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, December 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Box Scores:
Ateneo 62 – Yam 15, Go 13, Jose 11, Tomita 9, Guytingco 7, Buendia 5, Javier 2, Aseron 0, Deacon 0, Nitorreda 0, Newsome 0.
DLSU 50 – Claro 13, Abaca 12, Vergarra 8, Revillosa 4, Castillo 3, Ong 3, Penaranda 3, Roxas 2, Dagdagan 2, Vela 0.
Quarter Scores: 15-12, 26-24, 38-38, 62-50.
