The Ateneo Women’s Basketball Team (AWBT) wrapped up the elimination round in a heartbreaking crescendo, faltering against the University of Santo Tomas Lady Tigresses (UST), 68-80. The match occurred earlier today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
With this loss, the Blue Eagles cemented an 8-6 record in the elimination round standings of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Continuing her Most Valuable Player (MVP) worthy performance, Kacey Dela Rosa stood strong for the Blue Eagles, totaling 21 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks in the defeat. Meanwhile, Angelina Villasin roared for the Lady Tigresses, accumulating 17 markers and shooting 44% from beyond the arc.
The first minutes of the game had the Blue Eagles and the Lady Tigresses slowly trading basket after basket, 7-6. Being rewarded for her patience, Aishee Solis found an opportunity to strike during the lull, sinking a shot from beyond the arc, 10-6. However, the momentary lead dissipated immediately with UST’s Reynalyn Ferrer’s remarkable shot from deep-range, 13-12. Ateneo and UST then exchanged threes, 17-15, ending the quarter in favor of the Lady Tigresses.
The pace of the second quarter was a stark contrast to the first. Blasting from all cylinders, the Lady Tigresses opened the quarter with a 5-0 run led by Jane Pastrana and Brigette Santos, 17-20. Junize Calago and Dela Rosa restored the order with quick finds to attack the basket, 21-20. UST responded with a commanding 12-2 run in an attempt to extinguish the Blue Eagles fighting spirit, 23-32.
To quell the fear, Team Captain Jhazmin Joson threw a majestic shot from the three-point line, 26-32. The reinvigorated Ateneo then began to tear down UST’s forces to bridge the gap and eke out a one-point lead, 33-32. Immediately, the Lady Tigresses stomped out Ateneo’s meager lead with a 7-0 spurt–led by Pastrana–to end the second half in their favor, 33-39.
After the thrilling second quarter, the intermission put the teams’ momentum on a break. Ateneo and UST were not able to crack each other’s defense for the initial three minutes of the third canto. Eventually, the Lady Tigresses were able to draw first blood care of Apple Maglupay, 33-42. The standstill carried on until Ateneo’s Yunika Angala shattered it with her floater and three, 38-44, cutting the deficit to four. With their wrath reignited, the Lady Tigresses would go on a dominant 18-5 run, stripping out any remaining hope left of the Blue Eagles, 43-62.
Unfortunately, despite Dela Rosa’s efforts, the Lady Tigresses continued to rage on, 47-70. Seeking to boost the morale of her fellow Blue Eagles, Ylyssa Eufemanio sank in two shots from downtown, 54-70. In one final gasp for victory, the Blue Eagles persisted with their shots at the baskets, unwilling to go down without a fight, ending the game at 68-80.
The Blue Eagles will continue rising up to challenge as they face the National University Lady Bulldogs in their Final Four matchup to move past their losing streak.
Quarter scores:
Ateneo-UST: 17-15, 33-39, 43-62, 68-80
Box scores:
Ateneo (68): Dela Rosa – 21, Ylyssa Euefamino – 10, Calago – 9, Joson – 7, Angala – 7, Villacruz – 5, Makanjuola -5, Solis – 3, Cancio – 1, Gastador -0, Nieves – 0
UST (80): Villasin – 20, Soriano – 14, Pastrana – 12, Santos – 10, Ferrer – 9, Maglupay – 8, Bron -3, Serrano -2, Ly – 2, Dionisio – 0, Ambos – 0, Danganan – 0
Current Standings as of writing (W-L)
- NU Lady Bulldogs: 12-1
- UST Lady Tigresses: 11-3
- UP Fighting Maroons: 10-3
- ATENEO Blue Eagles: 8-6
- DLSU Lady Archers: 6-7
- ADU Lady Falcons: 3-10
- FEU Lady Tamaraws: 3-10
- UE Lady Warriors: 0-13
