THE ATENEO Blue Eagles captured a third-place finish in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Women’s 3×3 Basketball Tournament, after receiving contrasting results in their games earlier today. Today’s matches against the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons, and University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses were held at the Casobe Aquaria in Calatagan, Batangas.
After dropping their final Group Stage game against the Lady Bulldogs, 10-21, Ateneo was slammed shut out of title contention with their semifinal loss to the Lady Tigresses, 19-11. However, the Blue and White stormed back in the afternoon by surviving the Lady Falcons’ scare, 21-15, en route to bagging the bronze medal.
Group stage versus NU
A collective effort from NU’s starters paved the way for their triumph over the Blue Eagles. Kristine Cayabyab, Karl Pingol, and Aloja Betanio combined for 19 points in their 11-point rout of Ateneo.
The Blue Eagles struggled from the perimeter, tallying only eight percent as a team from the area. Their overall 32% shooting clip and their misfortune from the free throw line hampered their goal for a group sweep.
Leading by as much as 12, the Lady Bulldogs made quick work of Ateneo, putting away the Blue Eagles off a Pingol free throw, 21-10.
Semifinals versus UST
Ateneo suffered a poor shooting performance in their crucial semis match, sinking only one of their eight two-point attempts (12.5%) and nine of their 30 shots (30%). Much worse, they caught the Lady Tigresses waxing hot from deep with their 26.3% field goals from the perimeter.
Despite her game-high 13 rebounds, Atenan star Kacey dela Rosa was limited to six points from a 62.5% field goal shooting. Sandra Villacruz and Junize Calago also failed to provide support as they combined for 5 markers and 4-of-20 clips from the field.
The Katipunan-based squad also struggled in other departments, dishing out only four assists versus UST’s 8 and grabbing 22 rebounds against the España-based squad’s 29. While leading in the blocks category at 4-1, the Blue-Eagles nonetheless committed five fouls and seven turnovers.
Ateneo started out strong but eventually fell out of steam against UST, facing a 10-point deficit at one point and never recovering from there.
Third-place match vs AdU
In a dominant outing en route to their third-place finish, dela Rosa was nearly perfect from the field, knocking down nine out of her 11 shots. The Ateneo big’s 13-point, 12-rebound double-double performance was highlighted by her 4-for-4 shooting at the free throw line.
Calago followed closely with five points along with five assists and eight boards, shooting 57% from within the arc.
Going off to a 6-1 start, the Lady Falcons were determined to bring home their first 3×3 medal since 2019. However, the Blue Eagles quickly found their form, going on a run that culminated in a dela Rosa fadeaway jumper off an assist from Villacruz to tie the game at 11.
Foul trouble plagued Adamson for the remainder of the game, with the AWBT capitalizing on this by knocking down seven of their eight free throws. The Blue Eagles proceeded to go on a 7-0 run to bring home the bronze medal for Ateneo, 21-15.
For her impressive performance over the two days of competition, dela Rosa was crowned Rookie of the Year for Season 85.
Ateneo’s victory over the Lady Falcons marks the Blue Eagles’ first podium finish since bagging bronze during Season 80’s inaugural 3×3 Basketball Tournament as a demonstration sport.
Box scores:
Ateneo (10): dela Rosa – 4, Villacruz – 3, Calago – 2, Eufemiano – 1
NU (21): Cayabyab – 7, Pingol – 6, Betanio – 6, Surada – 2
Ateneo (11): dela Rosa – 6, Villacruz – 3, Calago – 2, Eufemiano – 0
UST (19): Soriano – 7, Ferrer – 5, Dionisio – 4, Tacatac – 3
Ateneo (21): dela Rosa – 13, Calago – 5, Villacruz – 2, Eufemiano – 1AdU (15): Etang – 7, Tano – 4, Agojo – 3, Meniano – 1
