Following their semifinal finish at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Women’s Basketball Tournament, the Ateneo Women’s Basketball Team (AWBT) is back. This weekly series will analyze the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ state as they aspire to win it all.

AFTER CLINCHING a Final Four berth for the second consecutive year, the Ateneo Women’s Basketball Team (AWBT) head into the postseason on an undesirable note. Last Wednesday, the Blue and White suffered a defeat to the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers in a nail-biting match, concluding in a 61-67 scoreline. Moreover, Sunday’s bout against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Lady Tigresses ended up being a heated affair, resulting in a double-digit loss for Ateneo, 68-80. 

Coming into the Final Four, the Blue Eagles must soar above a mighty opponent, the seven-time defending champions, the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs.

1. Seniors’ last hurrah 

Photo by Karl Dimaculangan

Eury: As the curtain falls on yet another enthralling UAAP season, the departure of seniors Alex Gastador and Jhazmin Joson marks the end of a chapter that resonates beyond the confines of the arena.

A returning force this season, Gastador emerged with a distinctive blend of precision and tenacity. In a display of strategic prowess, her adeptness at dissecting defenses and delivering pinpoint passes not only translated into crucial assists but also underscored her acumen, seamlessly fusing her playmaking finesse with an unparalleled understanding of the game. Beneath the veneer, the veteran’s relentless tenacity on the boards has further exemplified an unwavering commitment to creating opportunities that fortified her team’s resilience on the floor. 

In a parallel stratum of distinction, Joson’s journey in the collegiate tournament has been marked by undeniable skill and transformative guidance. From her freshman debut in Season 80, the guard’s impact on the court has beyond a doubt transcended the athletic. Joson’s adept court control and clutch performances became a beacon for the Katipunan-based squad, becoming a driving force that propelled her team to back-to-back Final Four appearances. Notably, the sharpshooter’s numerous achievements, including her career-high of 32 points this season, solidified her status as a pivotal player in the league. As she now continues to lead her team through the season’s zenith, the battle-tested captain weaves a legacy of excellence that firmly establishes her place in the pantheon of UAAP greats. 

As the duo gears up for their inaugural matchup in the Final Four, they embrace the responsibility of carrying the Blue and White legacy on their shoulders. Now heading towards the final stretch of their playing years, the tenured veterans step onto the court as torchbearers who have shaped the narrative of Ateneo’s women’s basketball landscape no matter the outcome.

2. Winning pieces

Photo by Jillian Santos

Vincent: A new narrative these protagonists helped to carve was copping Ateneo’s first winning season in women’s basketball since UAAP Season 70. With an 8-6 win-loss slate in the elimination rounds, the Blue Eagles achieved its first .500 season for the first time in 16 years. Such an achievement is a testament to the squad’s exceptional on-court prowess and resolve to play for each other, donning the Blue and White with pride each time they step onto the hardwood.

Aside from the departing veterans, the twin tower duo of Kacey Dela Rosa and Sarah Makanjuola established themselves as the formidable frontcourt pairing in the UAAP—a valuable arsenal for the Blue and White going forward. In all 14 games in Season 86, the dynamic pairing each averaged a double-double, showcasing exceptional individual feats to steer the Blue and White to glory. Moreover, their activity in the paint goes beyond the rebounding front, as they both finished in the top three in average blocks per contest. On the offensive front, Dela Rosa and Makanjuola are among only four players to shoot over 50% from the field. 

Having won last season’s Rookie of the Year award, Dela Rosa’s exhilarating all-around play on both ends has propelled the Ateneo standout into becoming a frontrunner for this year’s Most Valuable Player honors. Moreover, the national team cager was second in scoring with 19.57 points per contest and grabbed 12 boards on average. Meanwhile, Dela Rosa’s frontcourt partner Makanjuola’s ability to firmly collect rebounds and swat opponents’ shot attempts on the defensive end has paid dividends for Ateneo, placing third in average rebounds per contest at 12.86. Notably, the Nigerian student-athlete’s individual feats such as her 22-rebound performance, solidified her status as a formidable force in the league.

Proving to be the spark plug all season long, Junize Calago’s energetic play style catapulted the Blue and White with her scoring prowess and rebounding ability. Coming into the fold in Season 85, the sophomore guard’s significant improvements since then were manifested in a plethora of double-double outings and instances where such a feat was nearly achieved.

Alongside these key characters were catalysts from the second unit. In spite of their struggles in the points department, players such as Aishie Solis, Ylyssa Eufemiano, and Katelyn Cancio, to name a few, have provided pivotal contributions in other areas which were critical to Ateneo’s success.

With the Final Four on the horizon, these winning pieces now must navigate through a familiar battlefield where the stakes are the highest. However, standing in their way toward a spot in the finals is the powerhouse that has laid claim to the women’s basketball throne for nearly a decade.

3. Blitzing the Bulldogs

Photo by Francis Ong

Rav: Out of all the remaining three teams Ateneo could have faced in the Final Four, the NU Lady Bulldogs arguably stand out as the most intimidating and the strongest of the field. The Sampaloc-based squad headlines the whole tournament in 28 team categories, ranking at least top three for each. Furthermore, since their loss to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons back in October, the perennial champions have not dropped a single game, crafting themselves an 11-game winning streak.

With all the cards laid out on the table, Ateneo is presumably entering the match as underdogs. However, with little external expectation to trample the titans of the UAAP Women’s basketball, the Loyola Heights-based squad can stun the Lady Bulldogs by keying on gaps that the latter may have overlooked in their winning ways. 

To clearly see NU’s chinks in their armor, one needs to look no further than their overtime thriller versus the UST Lady Tigresses. One flaw showcased in that contest was their insistence on getting shots inside the paint. At 3:42 of the fourth quarter, NU’s Stefanie Berberabe drove to the basket against a collapsing UST defense instead of making the extra pass to Aloja Betanio or Camille Clarin, who were primed for a corner three. Despite Berberabe managing to draw a foul after the fact, NU can be found opting to take more difficult shots in the paint instead of wide-open three-pointers. The existence of this tiny vulnerability opens up an avenue for dismantling the Lady Bulldogs’ offensive game. 

Besides their inconsistent shot selection, the Lady Bulldogs have also shown themselves to be vulnerable in their defensive transitions. To illustrate, 16 minutes into their game versus UST, the Lady Bulldogs swarmed towards Brigette Santos, ultimately leaving her teammate Ana Tacatac available for an uncontested shot outside the arc. Moreover, at around the four-minute mark of the final quarter, Princess Fabruada of the Lady Bulldogs mistakenly slowed herself down to attempt a quick steal, compromising their defense and allowing UST’s Apple Maglupay to find a quick layup.

Ultimately, the aforementioned plays highlighted that NU, despite their dominance, carry weaknesses that can be exploited. The Lady Bulldogs’ transition defense and shot selection demonstrated that when placed into situations outside their coach’s game plans, they are susceptible to faltering and making mistakes. If the Blue Eagles can put themselves into these situations where intuition prevails, they can rattle the Bulldogs. Such a plan can lay down a foundation for history to be made—the day David took down Goliath.

This week’s games

Wednesday, November 22, at 9:00 AM, vs. NU Lady Bulldogs at the Mall of Asia Arena

Sunday, November 25, at 11:00 AM, vs. NU Lady Bulldogs at the Smart Araneta Coliseum (IF NECESSARY)

Playoff Bracket

1. NU Lady Bulldogs (twice-to-beat) vs. 4. ATENEO Blue Eagles2. UST Lady Tigresses (twice-to-beat) vs 3. UP Fighting Maroons