Sports

Weekly Takeaways: An all-around improvement for the AWBT

By Ethan M. Encarnacion, Juris Salvanera and Diana Mae Salonoy

Published October 28, 2022 at 6:27 pm

Photo by Karl Dimaculangan

Following a two-year absence of the 5-on-5 Women’s Basketball Tournament in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), the Ateneo Women’s Basketball Team (AWBT) is finally back in action. This weekly series looks to analyze the state of the Ateneo Blue Eagles as they return to the country’s premier collegiate league.

THE ATENEO Blue Eagles concluded their first round schedule with three wins on the trot, soaring up to fourth place in the current standings.

Last week, the Blue and White came roaring back in the second half to nab a victory versus the Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons, 66-58. In their last match of the elimination rounds, the AWBT carried over the momentum as they defeated a gritty University of the East (UE) Lady Red Warriors side, 73-62.

With the second half of the season resuming this Saturday, the Katipunan-based squad is looking to solidify their state as a Final Four contender. To do this, they will first have to face tough opponents in their first two games of the second round: the Lady Falcons and the National University Lady Bulldogs.

1. The breakout of Sarah Makanjuola

Juris: In our previous Weekly Takeaways, we raised the question: if someone from the starting lineup is having an off-game (or in this instance out with sickness), who will step up and carry the load? Over the final two games of the first round, that concern seemed to be answered in the form of Sarah Makanjuola.

With rookie sensation Kacey Dela Rosa out due to health concerns, Head Coach LA Mumar turned to Makanjuola to fill in at the center spot. Despite being sparingly used in the first five games of the first round, the Nigerian student-athlete turned some heads with her play against AdU and UE.

For context, Makanjuola averaged 2.75 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks in roughly only 12 minutes of action throughout the first five games. However with her insertion into the starting five versus AdU and UE, the Nigerian averaged numbers of 16.0 points, 17.0 rebounds, and 5.5 blocks throughout those two games.

Beyond the statistics, Makanjuola gives the Blue Eagles the same intangibles that Dela Rosa is providing the team when she’s on the hardwood. Although not as quick on her feet and agile compared to her Filipino counterpart, Makanjuola anchors the paint with her long reach. This leaves the opposition to adjust and take bad shots. On the offensive side of the ball, the deputy big also uses her wingspan to tower over her defenders for easy looks or to grab offensive rebounds which leads to second-chance opportunities.

Despite the likelihood of Dela Rosa regaining her starting spot when she returns, Head Coach LA Mumar will be confident in knowing that he has a talented backup big in Makanjuola at his disposal. It is even possible that the Ateneo mentor might even want to try fielding both centers in the starting lineup. One thing is for sure, Sarah Makanjuola’s continued improvement is integral to the Blue Eagles’ attempt at a Final Four run.

2. Rousing wins, downtown woes

Diana: This week, the AWBT saw improvements in the offensive end thanks to their more efficient scoring. In their matchup versus Adamson, the Blue Eagles tallied a 32.4% field goal (FG) percentage, which even improved in their game against the winless UE as they produced 37.3% in its second half.

Another thing mentioned in the previous Weekly Takeaways is the struggle of converting from the charity stripe. Ateneo embraced the challenge and was able to breach the 50% free throw mark for two consecutive games. The squad made 14 out of 25 bonus shots (56%) against the Lady Falcons, and 22 out of 41 free throw attempts (54%) against the Lady Red Warriors. Overall, Ateneo’s improved shooting helped tremendously in protecting their lead during crunch time.

Not only that, but the Blue and White’s bench players had increased valuable contributions to their recent wins. From two bench points versus Adamson, the Ateneo bench made its presence felt by unloading 21 points versus UE. Aside from the impressive performance of Makanjuola, seeing bench players step up will help alleviate the scoring load of the starters come the second round.

All but one are a welcoming sign of the Ateneo’s boosted offensive firepower. Now, the glaring problem sits beyond the three-point arc.

Despite dominating the Lady Falcons, the Blue Eagles only sank four three-pointers out of 17 attempts. Meanwhile, in their match against UE, the Lady Red Warriors nearly completed a comeback with its seven threes against Ateneo’s one single trey out of 10 attempts. That is five out of 27 shots in two games–a staggeringly inefficient 18% FG percentage from downtown. This is not to mention their misses coming from open threes and forced shots that have turned into empty possessions.

If they fully commit to the mission of making the Final Four, the Blue Eagles will have to direct their focus on converting from the three-point line. Aside from towering size, shots from long range will surely come in handy against the top-ranked teams they are set to face in the second round. Although there is a growing concern in the three-point shooting department, it is a sigh of relief to know that the other offensive lapses of Ateneo are improving.

3. Further into the season, experience is the best teacher

Ethan: In the AWBT’s game against Adamson, the ladies found themselves down by as much as 13 points by halftime. Despite the absence of Dela Rosa, the Blue Eagles were able to regroup and reset in the second half to reclaim the lead and eventually steal the win from the Lady Falcons, 66-58.

In their bout against UE, Ateneo clung to a single-digit lead for most of the match with the Lady Red Warriors constantly threatening to break the game wide open. Fortunately, the Blue and White were able to surmount the pressure with patient offense and proper execution down the stretch.

It is high-pressure games like these that turn teams from Final Four hopefuls to legit championship contenders. There are games where there is a sizable deficit early in the game that test the team’s grit, while there are games where the lead is not wide enough which keeps the players at edge. Combine these two types of games together, and they will make up for invaluable experiences that will undoubtedly mold the youthful Blue Eagles into hardened and battle-tested competitors.

The question is if the AWBT will take these lessons to heart一because what use will experience be if it is not applied to future matches? Ultimately, this responsibility of bracing the team is largely shared by Blue Eagle veterans Jhazmin Joson, LJ Miranda, Sandra Villacruz, and Angel Gino-Gino.

Back in our Season Preview, we discussed how the AWBT’s seasoned players could mentor the team’s young talents. As we head into the second half of the season, there is nothing the Blue Eagles need more of than the mentioned players’ leadership.

How will Joson rally her troops now that they have gotten a taste of the intensity and ferocity of all the UAAP teams? How can Miranda and Villacruz guide the new recruits through their emotions in daunting matchups? Will Gino-Gino continue to be a secondary coach at the bench for the team’s second and third units?

Whatever approach the veterans choose in the second round, we are only in for a treat as the race to the Final Four tightens in the second round of Season 85.