THE ATENEO Blue Eagles record their second loss of the season after failing to withstand sharpshooting tactics from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Lady Tigresses in the second half of the match, 67-90. The contest took place earlier today at the Adamson University Gym in the City of Manila.
This loss gives the Ateneo Blue Eagles a 4-2 win-loss record in the first round of elimination games in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Ateneo big Kacey Dela Rosa once again filled up the stat sheet for the Blue and White with a solid 24-point, 13-rebound double-double. Meanwhile, fellow frontcourt mate Sarah Makanjoula displayed her presence inside the paint with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
The first frame of the match saw the Blue Eagles pushing the tempo downcourt. In addition to the string of successful buckets in the paint, early trips to the line gave Ateneo a head start against their competitors, 9-2.
However, UST countered with a renewed sense of offensive willpower to get to the rim. Fueled by Agatha Bron’s two shots from downtown, the Lady Tigresses stemmed the tide with fastbreak points to take the lead back, 19-14. As the Katipunan-based squad grappled to create enough room to breathe, rookie Aishe Solis gave her team a much-needed three to bring an end to the first quarter down, 18-24.
In the second canto, a gritty showing between twin towers Makanjuola and Dela Rosa dominated the inside game. Capitalizing on their offensive maneuvers, the Blue Eagles then proceeded to carefully play their cards right in hopes of declawing the Lady Tigresses. However, foul issues from Ateneo presented their adversaries with multiple chances to score from the line and hold the lead.
Stifled by UST’s late-stage scoring run, the Blue Eagles found themselves trailing by five to end the first half, 33-38. Ateneo opened the second half of the game rejuvenated, as they went on a 6-0 run to go up by one at the 6:45 mark of the third quarter, 39-38. Although momentum appeared to swing in favor of the Blue and White, three straight turnovers forced by UST awarded the lead back to the Espana-based squad. The Tigresses’ aggressive full-court press defense eventually allowed for a double-digit lead in their favor, 58-42. The Blue Eagles ended the third quarter barely leaving a dent on the UST lead, 48-61.
The fourth quarter initially saw the AWBT make minor adjustments by becoming more active on defense. This allowed the Blue and White to cut their deficit to nine, 52-61. However, a quick three by Ana Tacatac at the eight minute mark allowed the Tigresses to hold off the Ateneo rally, 54-66. Both teams then exchanged baskets throughout the quarter, yet the double-digit UST lead remained. In the final three minutes, the Katipunan-based team were unable to fight back from a solid UST run as the lead ballooned to 20, 62-82. The game came to a conclusion with Ateneo getting vanquished by 23 points, 67-90.
The Blue Eagles will now look to bounce back in their matchup against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons on October 21, 3:00 PM at the Adamson University Gym in the City of Manila.
Box Score:
Ateneo (67): Dela Rosa – 24, Makanjoula – 11, Calago – 9, Joson – 7, Solis – 5, Cancio – 3, Angala – 3, Villacruz – 2, Mataga – 2, Chan – 1
UST (90): Pastrana – 17, Tacatac – 15, Bron – 15, Santos – 9, Maglupay – 9, Villasin – 8, Dionisio – 4, Ferrer – 4, Ambos – 4, Soriano – 3, Danganan – 2
