THE ATENEO Women’s Basketball Team (AWBT) is victorious against the Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons, closing off the match 66-58 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. This win puts the Blue Eagles at an even 3-3 record in the elimination round standings of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
In the absence of Kacey Dela Rosa, Ateneo Center Sarah Makanjuola stepped up with a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds, including a team-high +27 point differential rating. Team Captain Jhazmin Joson contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Junize Calago poured in 13 points and 12 rebounds to be the third Blue Eagle with a double-double game.
The match started in favor of the Blue Eagles after they went on a 7-2 scoring run early in the first quarter. AWBT veteran Joson’s floor facilitation ignited most of the Blue and White’s offensive sets, setting up teammates Makanjuola and Dyna Nieves under the post for easy baskets.
However, Ateneo’s momentum was quickly erased due to Adamson’s adjustments to start defending the Blue Eagles all the way from the backcourt. At the end of the period, a basket from Sofia Navarro gave Ateneo a slim lead, 16-15.
[FIRST QUARTER]
— Juris Salvanera (@Juris_TheGUIDON) October 19, 2022
Calago dumps it off the Navarro for the inside basket!
Ateneo 16 AdU 15#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/4fc0rmqmUv
In the second quarter, the Blue Eagles had a difficult time bringing the ball onto their end of the court, piling their turnover count early on. Compounded with forced shots on offensive possessions, Ateneo dug themselves into a 15-point deficit, 21-36. Joson’s shooting gave the Blue Eagles plenty of room to breathe, but Adamson pulled away with scoring runs of their own. The Lady Falcons ended the second quarter with a 39-26 lead.
Despite starting the third quarter at a 13-point disadvantage, the Blue Eagles immediately demonstrated a significant improvement in their offensive plays. Early runs to the rim by Ateneo guards Joson, Calago, and Sandra Villacruz racked up points for the team, turning the tide for the Blue and White to take the lead at 48-41. Makanjuola’s trips to the charity stripe also helped fuel a comeback for the Blue Eagles during the quarter.
[THIRD QUARTER]
— Juris Salvanera (@Juris_TheGUIDON) October 19, 2022
Basket counts for Sandra Villacruz! She makes the bonus shot.
Ateneo 48 AdU 41#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/Nbowz9Z7ox
By the end of the third frame, the Blue Eagles were able to harvest a staggering total of 27 points in the canto alone, concluding the quarter with a six-point lead, 53-47.
The AWBT continued their impressive follow-throughs and tactics even into the fourth frame of the match. Still maintaining a comfortable lead ahead of the Lady Falcons, the Blue Eagles fought back with a strong defensive disposition that stifled their opponents attempts at the basket, 62-55.
[FOURTH QUARTER]
— Juris Salvanera (@Juris_TheGUIDON) October 19, 2022
Calago smartly fakes a kick-out pass to then take it strong to the cup!
Ateneo 62 AdU 55#UAAPBasketball
Despite a rise in the Ateneo fouls that gave Adamson more trips to the line in the final quarter, the Blue Eagles wrapped up the match with their heads held high, 66-58.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles’ next game is set to take place at the Ynares Center in the City of Antipolo at 11:00 AM on Sunday, October 23, against the University of the East Lady Warriors.
Box Scores:
Ateneo (66): Joson – 16, Makanjuola – 16, Calago – 13, Villacruz – 11, Nieves – 8, Navarro – 2
AdU (58): Adeshina – 14, Padilla – 13, Dampios – 8, Medina – 8, Agojo – 6, Flor – 5, Dela Cruz – 2, Omopia – 1, Catulong – 1
Quarter Scores:
Ateneo-AdU: 16-15, 26-39, 53-47, 66-58
