AFTER FALLING short of the playoffs the day before, the Blue Eagles wrapped up their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 3×3 Basketball stories with contrasting results. Today’s contests were held at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in the City of Parañaque.
The Men’s team suffered a loss to the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, whereas the Women’s team reigned supreme over the Adamson University Lady Falcons to clinch their third and final victory of the tournament.
UAAP Season 86 Women’s Basketball Most Valuable Player Kacey Dela Rosa demonstrated another breathtaking performance, tallying 12 points and nine rebounds in the victory. Meanwhile, Javi Adevoso had a commendable performance from the perimeter, scoring four points during the Men’s team’s bout versus FEU.
Women’s Tournament
Despite being eliminated yesterday due to an inferior point tally, the Ateneo Women’s 3×3 Basketball Team (AWBT) restored their soar by defeating Adamson convincingly, 21-12. During the match, Ateneo paid a greater emphasis on their inside game, rarely taking shots outside the line. This consequently allowed UAAP MVP Dela Rosa to thrive off the mismatches.
The Blue and White’s march toward victory began after attaining a four-point lead from the combined efforts of Dela Rosa, Sandra Villacruz, and Junize Calago, 6-2. Even with the Lady Falcons’ attempts to scratch the scoreboard, the Blue Eagles never once relinquished their advantage, even mustering up a seven-point advantage 19-12.
During the bout’s conclusion, Dela Rosa quickly scored two consecutive baskets around the rim to complete a 21-12 victory for the Blue Eagles.
Men’s Tournament
In the hunt for their first victory, the Ateneo Men’s 3×3 Basketball Team came out with improved efforts in their last game of the four-day tournament. Adevoso sparked encouraging signs from the Katipunan-based unit with two 2-point jumpers. Meanwhile Alonzo Luna contributed with a steady three points and three rebounds. Despite a valiant stand, FEU’s Aaron Bagunu’s production on both ends of the floor stunned Ateneo as he churned out nine points and two steals in a 21-9 victory in favor of the Tamaraws.
Although tying the game at 6-6, the Loyola Heights-based team would fail to contain the Morayta-based trio’s offensive firepower. Shooting a scorching 56 percent shooting clip from the field, the Tamaraws went on a 15-3 run to break the game wide open. Unable to respond, Ateneo would bow out of the 3×3 competition with a winless slate.
As the Blue Eagles’ 3×3 story concludes, both squads will seek to recuperate with ambitions to craft a more impressive performance in UAAP Season 87.
Women’s Standings (W-L)
- UST Lady Tigresses (6-1)
- NU Lady Bulldogs (6-1)
- ADU Lady Falcons (4-3)
- DLSU Lady Archers (4-3)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (3-4)
- UE Lady Warriors (2-5)
- UP Fighting Maroons (2-5)
- FEU Lady Tamaraws (1-6)
Men’s Standings (W-L)
- DLSU Green Archers (7-0)
- UE Red Warriors (5-2)
- UST Growling Tigers (4-3)
- NU Bulldogs (4-3)
- AdU Soaring Falcons (4-3)
- FEU Tamaraws (3-4)
- UP Fighting Maroons (1-6)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (0-7)
