THE ATENEO Blue Eagles kickstarted their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Women’s 3×3 campaign with a stellar sweep of their first two oppositions, University of the East (UE) and De La Salle University (DLSU), yesterday, May 3. The first day of the two-day tournament took place at the Casobe Aquaria in Calatagan, Batangas.
Today’s outcome placed the undefeated Blue Eagles at joint first alongside National University (NU) in the standings, with a game left to go in the competition’s brief elimination phase.
Matchup versus UE
Kacey dela Rosa’s key contributions played into Ateneo’s productive first day, as the star Ateneo big averaged 11 points and 10.5 rebounds in 58% shooting through two games. Junize Calago also delivered for the Loyola Heights-based unit with 5.5 points, 11 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game.
In their renewed hunt to capture the gold after a fourth-place finish in Season 84, the formidable Blue Eagles dismantled the University of the East (UE) Lady Red Warriors, 18-6. From the onset of the contest that saw Ateneo jump to an 8-0 lead, the super rookie dela Rosa asserted her will down in the interior with UE having no answers. The Blue and White never once lost momentum, as they limited the Lady Red Warriors to six points and a collective 5/23 clip from the field.
In Ateneo’s 12-point victory, dela Rosa and Calago’s rapport was put into display, as all of Calago’s five assists resulted in dela Rosa baskets en route to the big’s 12-point and 11-rebound double-double.
Matchup versus DLSU
The Katipunan-based cagers proceeded to face the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers in the afternoon in hopes of sweeping the first day of competition.
Blue Eagle dela Rosa posted another double-double with 10 points off 57% shooting and 10 rebounds. She was well-supported by her teammates as Sandra Villacruz and Calago combined for almost half of the team’s output with a combined eight points, along with 13 boards.
The back-and-forth affair went down to the wire after 10 minutes of both teams trading baskets.
Lady Archer Bettina Binaohan had the chance to take the win at the final buzzer with a fadeaway shot. However, the smothering Ateneo defense denied DLSU of a walk-off victory, forcing the match into overtime, 16-16.
With the goal of being the first to score two baskets, dela Rosa wasted no time in forcing her way to the ring to take the lead. DLSU’s Jeehan Ahmed went on to answer with a jumper right after, 17-17.
Down to a deciding final point, Villacruz was fouled on her short jumper. After missing both free throws, Ateneo regained possession. An incredible pass from Calago to dela Rosa resulted in a clutch game-winning lay-in to seal the win for the Blue Eagles, 18-17.
The Blue Eagles hope to finish strong and book a ticket to the Final Four as they take on the reigning champions NU Lady Bulldogs tomorrow, May 4, at 9:15 AM at the same venue.
Box scores:
Ateneo (18): Dela Rosa – 12, Calago – 5, Villacruz – 1, Eufemiano – 0
UE (6): Anastacio – 2, Paule – 2, Silva – 2, Sajol – 0
Ateneo (18): Dela Rosa – 10, Calago – 6, Villacruz – 2, Eufemiano – 0
DLSU (17): Sario – 11, San Juan – 3, Ahmed – 2, Binaohan – 1
