CONTINUING THE streak, the Ateneo Women’s Basketball Team (AWBT) took down the University of the East Lady Warriors (UE), 72-62 on Wednesday, October 11, at the Adamson University Gym in the City of Manila.
This victory places the Blue and White at 3-1 near the top of the standings, creeping behind the National University Lady Bulldogs in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Kacey Dela Rosa dictated the direction of the match with an all-around statline of 23 points, 18 rebounds, 5 steals, and 5 blocks. Sandra Villacruz and Junize Calago trailed right after with 13 points each.
Immediately after tipoff, the Blue Eagles opened the game with an easy jumper from Sandra Villacruz, predicting the thrilling pace of the game. The Lady Warriors tried to answer back with shots from the perimeter but were slowed down by Ateneo’s stalwart defensive anchors Dela Rosa and Makanjuola, 10-5. The biggest story of the 19-14 first quarter was Villacruz and Dela Rosa, who both bulldozed through UE’s full-court press attempts, combining for 18 points, shooting 81% from the field.
UE came out swinging to open the subsequent quarter, sinking in their buckets for most of their early possessions. On the other end, the Blue Eagles struggled offensively due to the opposing team’s suffocating defense in the post. With now only a two-point lead to show for over the Lady Warriors, Ateneo’s hopes of winning appeared dire, until the Blue and White immediately found their stride, sending scorching messages from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, UE lost their magic, going cold in the latter parts of the period to add to their deficit. Ateneo then went on an 8-0 run, expanding the lead to eleven from two, 37-26. Villacruz led the charge with 13 points for Ateneo entering the halftime intermission.
Following the break, Ateneo entered the court with a burst of energy. The Katipunan-based team not only consistently locked down the Lady Warriors but also sniped down threes, headed by Jhazmin Joson. Conversely, Junize Calago was remarkable with her efforts on both sides of the court. Midway through the period, the match’s tempo subsided, turning into a free-throw contest between both teams. At the end of the period, Ateneo’s advantage had ballooned to 18, 59-41.
By the outset of the final quarter, UE strived for one final push to halt their enemy’s momentum to barely any effect. In all their magisterial glory, the Blue Eagles triumphed over the Lady Warriors, 72-62.
The Blue and White will return to extend their winning streak as they face the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, at 9:00 AM, on Saturday, October 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Quarter scores:
Ateneo-UE: 19-14, 37-26, 59-41, 72-62
Box scores:
ATENEO (72): Dela Rosa – 23, Villacruz – 13, Calago – 13, Makanjoula – 10, Joson – 6, Solis – 3, Angala – 3, Gastador – 1
UE (62): Ruiz – 13, Burgos – 11, Paule – 10, Pedregosa – 8, Dela Rosa – 8, Lorena – 5, Kone – 4, Ronquillo – 2, Anastacio – 1
