THE ATENEO Blue Eagles defeated the University of the East (UE) Lady Red Warriors, 65-51, earlier today at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Quadricentennial Pavilion.
With this win, the Blue Eagles secure a spot in the Final Four for the first time since the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 78 in 2015.
Leading the charge, Ylyssa Eufemiano posted 23 points with three three-pointers to lead the Blue Eagles. Meanwhile, Kacey dela Rosa is back on familiar double-double territory with 17 points and 13 rebounds, complete with four blocks. Team Captain Jhazmin Joson contributed 13 points of her own with eight rebounds and five assists.
Ateneo started the game with a focus on attacking the paint. Blue Eagle veteran Joson blitzed through UE defenders and set up plays from inside that paved the way for an early 8-2 lead. Despite Sarah Makanjuola’s ejection early in the quarter due to an incident with UE’s Kamba Kone, Ateneo maintained their early game momentum and ended the quarter with a 22-12 advantage.
[FIRST QUARTER]
— Juris Salvanera (@Juris_TheGUIDON) November 23, 2022
Basket counts for Calago! The rookie guard is powers through the contact after receiving a pass from Joson. She, however, misses the bonus shot.
Ateneo 14 UE 10#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/NiEMr0FDZy
To open the second quarter, the Blue and White went on an 8-0 scoring run thanks to Eufemiano, who caught fire from all over the court. The rookie hit two three-point field goals and multiple fastbreak layups off assists from her Blue Eagle teammates. On the other end, dela Rosa and Miranda anchored defensive sets that prevented UE from converting consistent baskets. Holding off the Lady Red Warriors to only eight points, Ateneo ended the first half with a massive 42-20 lead.
[SECOND QUARTER]
— Juris Salvanera (@Juris_TheGUIDON) November 23, 2022
Eufemiano drains her second three of the game! UE call for a timeout.
Ateneo 28 UE 12#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/KlEkBjZTXO
The third quarter then saw back-and-forth action from both teams. UE found their groove in the three-point arc, while Ateneo counted on strong offensive plays inside the paint. However, free throws proved to be the difference maker as the Blue Eagles banked on their bonus shots to enter the final frame with a strong 54-38 scoring gap.
[THIRD QUARTER]
— Juris Salvanera (@Juris_TheGUIDON) November 23, 2022
De la Rosa starts off the second half with an impressive move down in the post!
Ateneo 44 UE 20@TheGUIDONSports#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/es35d0eOqZ
Going into the fourth quarter, Ateneo remained close to their strengths and attacked the interior basket. Paired with their stringent defense, the Blue Eagles’ lead ballooned to as much as 21 points, 65-44. The buzzer sounded with the final score in Ateneo’s favor, 65-51.
[FOURTH QUARTER]
— Juris Salvanera (@Juris_TheGUIDON) November 23, 2022
Joson is fouled after swiveling her way to the basket. She then proceeds to make one out of two freebies.
Ateneo 57 UE 40#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/oJrWzlvtmd
The Ateneo Blue Eagles will close out the elimination round with a matchup against next-door neighbors University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Saturday, November 26, at 3:00 PM at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion once again.
Box score:
Ateneo (65): Eufemiano – 23, dela Rosa – 17, Joson – 13, Calago – 4, Villacruz – 3, Miranda – 2, Nieves – 2, Cruza – 1
UE (51): Terrinal – 15, Kone – 9, Paule – 9, Sajol – 6, Lorena – 5, Caraig – 3, Nama – 2, Silva – 2
Quarter scores:
Ateneo-UE: 22-12, 42-20, 54-38, 65-51
