IN A potential Final Four preview, the Ateneo Blue Eagles were outclassed down the stretch by the streaking National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 58-66. The contest was held earlier today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Despite the loss, Ateneo maintains their hold on the fourth seed with a record of 4-3 to close out the first round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87.
Kacey Dela Rosa prevailed as the leading scorer of the game after recording her seventh double-double of the season with 21 points and 13 rebounds. In the backcourt, Seng Calago also pitched in 12 points for the Blue and White.
In the first round finale for both squads, a tight power struggle highlighted the onset of the opening frame. Despite Sarah Makanjuola drawing first blood for Ateneo, NU’s Marylene Solis and Camille Clarin prompted quick responses to push the Lady Bulldogs in front, 4-2.
Eager to close the lead, the Blue Eagles stepped up on defense with Dela Rosa and Makanjuola making the most out of their towering presence. Converting Ateneo’s good defense into offense, Calago’s fastbreak theatrics helped the Blue Eagles regain the driver’s seat, 8-7.
The Blue and White’s efforts to man the floor was met with NU’s decisive rebounding prowess, leading to a four-point Blue Eagles deficit at 10-14. While Sandra Villacruz attempted to ease the bleeding for the Katipunan-based squad, NU still maintained their momentum to end the quarter up 18-13.
After an offensive drought at the start of the second canto, Calago’s playmaking abilities and Dela Rosa’s interior presence helped Ateneo draw to within one, 17-18. In response, Kristine Cayabyab cranked up NU’s offense, dropping consecutive buckets to drive the Lady Bulldogs to a 28-20 edge.
The Blue and White answered back and rode a 6-0 counter run to conclude the half with a manageable one-possession disadvantage, 26-28.
Right out of the halftime break, the duo of Dela Rosa and Makanjuola powered through for the Blue and White as they led a 5-0 run to put Ateneo back ahead, 33-30.
Both teams then traded blows throughout the quarter, not leaving an inch of breathing room. NU’s Angelica Surada managed to sink two crucial threes to give the Lady Bulldogs control in yet another lead change, 40-36.
Firing back, rookie Nic Aguirre stepped up for the Blue Eagles, providing a much-needed boost down the stretch of the third frame. After sinking two baskets at the charity stripe, Aguirre proceeded to find fellow newcomer Kai Oani in transition for her first points of the game, 44-43.
Tides shifted anew at the tail end of the third as a turnover by Ateneo’s guard Gracie Batongbakal resulted in a layup by NU’s Cielo Pagdulagan, placing the Blue Eagles in a 44-47 deficit.
Holding momentum from the penultimate quarter, the Lady Bulldogs looked to pull away in the fourth, with Princess Fabruada contributing six straight points to overwhelm the Blue and White, 57-49.
Not going down without a fight, however, floor general Calago conjured up crucial plays to keep the game alive for Ateneo. The Atenean point guard kept the Blue Eagles within striking distance by giving his teammates quality looks from below the rim and knocking down three crucial free throws, 58-63.
The Lady Bulldogs responded to Ateneo’s scoring run by amplifying their pressure on the defensive end, hindering the Blue and White from converting much-needed buckets in the final minutes of the ballgame. Following a drive and basket by Karl Pingol that increased NU’s lead to multiple possessions, the Blue Eagles were put away for good, 58-66.
Now halfway through the elimination round, the Blue Eagles are set to recharge and recoup in the Eagles’ nest with the second round schedule yet to be officially announced.
Box scores:
Ateneo (58): Dela Rosa – 21, Calago – 12, Makanjuola – 9, Aguirre – 5, Oani – 4, Villacruz – 3, Batongbakal – 2, Cancio – 2, Cruza – 0, Nieves – 0, Angala – 0
NU (66): Pagdulagan – 12, Cayabyab – 11, Pingol – 10, Surada – 10, Fabruada – 8, Betanio – 7, Clarin – 4, , Konateh – 2, Solis – 2, Canuto – 0, Ico – 0, Pring – 0, Medina – 0
Quarter scores:
Ateneo-NU: 13-18, 26-28, 44-47, 58-66
Current Standings (W-L):
- NU Lady Bulldogs (7-0)
- UST Growling Tigresses (6-1)
- AdU Lady Falcons (4-2)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (4-3)
- UP Fighting Maroons (2-4)
- UE Lady Warriors (1-5)
- DLSU Lady Archers (1-5)
- FEU Lady Tamaraws (1-6)
