THE ATENEO 3×3 Basketball Teams ended their respective elimination round stints with antithetical results in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 3×3 Basketball tournament.

The Women’s team bagged their fourth win in the tournament, taking down the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 21-16. Meanwhile, the Men’s squad succumbed to the Fighting Maroons in a close contest, 15-17. The final elimination round matches took place earlier this afternoon at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City.

With the outcomes, the Women’s squad finishes at third place in the standings with a 4-3 record and 122 points, comfortably sending them to the Final Four. On the other hand, the Men’s unit finished at last place with a 1-6 record and 110 points.

Women’s Match vs UP

With a Final Four berth on the line, the Blue Eagles outlasted the Fighting Maroons in a contested battle. In the Women’s 3×3 edition of the Battle of Katipunan, Ateneo rolled out a lineup of Kacey Dela Rosa, Seng Calago, Kai Oani, and Lauren Lopez.

The Blue and White relied on their ace player Dela Rosa, who pounded the paint en route to a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds. Ateneo collectively found their stride on the defensive end, with the Blue Eagles pulling down 20 rebounds compared to UP’s nine.

Besides the efforts of Dela Rosa, Calago chipped in five points to go with his seven assists, while Oani added four points of her own. Meanwhile, the Fighting Maroons worked their offense through Louna Ozar, who finished with six points.

The opening frames of the game saw a fairly contested matchup, with Ateneo and UP trading layups and jumpers. The Blue Eagles then struggled to contain the Fighting Maroons’ three-point shooting, surrendering 11 points from outside.

However, Ateneo’s physicality on the court became too much for UP to handle, scoring 15 out of their 21 points inside the paint. With UP’s fatigue kicking in, the Blue Eagles immediately took advantage with timely baskets, sealing the fate of the Fighting Maroons, 21-16.

Men’s Match vs UP

Already out of the Men’s 3×3 postseason race, the Blue Eagles entered their last match against the Fighting Maroons playing with house money. The Blue and White went toe-to-toe with their Katipunan rivals to begin the bout, as both teams’ hot shooting saw a deadlock at 2-all. Looking to break the early tie, the Blue Eagles hit a two-pointer courtesy of Adam Dela Cruz, but were quickly dispelled by Sean Alter, who scored three quick baskets, 4-5.

Staying lethal on offense, Dela Cruz helped the Blue and White regain their advantage by scoring two more points, 6-5. However, Gani Stevens of the Fighting Maroons began imposing his interior presence on both ends, overwhelming the Blue Eagles that led to a 5-1 Fighting Maroons run piloted by the UP big man.

With their backs against the wall midway through the bout, the Blue and White found life from Dela Cruz and Danniel Tupas, as the tandem brought Ateneo back to within one, 12-13.

The Blue Eagles and the Fighting Maroons proceeded to go back and forth, eventually  ending regulation tied at 15 apiece. Only needing two more points to win, the Blue and White tried hitting a quick rainbow shot, but UP’s Alter first made a deep jumper from the top of the key to call game, 17-15.

The title-seeking Ateneo Women’s 3×3 squad will take on the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses in their semifinals assignment on Sunday, May 4, at 11:40 AM in the same venue.

Box Scores:

Women’s match vs UP

Ateneo (21): Dela Rosa – 11, Calago – 5, Oani – 4, Lopez – 1

UP (16): Ozar – 6, Pesquera – 5, Maw – 3, Bariquit – 2

Men’s match vs UP

Ateneo (15): Tan – 5, Dela Cruz – 4, De Guzman – 4, Tupas – 2

UP (17): Alter– 8, Stevens – 5, Bayla – 4

Women’s Current Standings (W-L) – Points:

1. UST Growling Tigresses (7-0) – 140
2. UP Fighting Maroons (5-2) – 117
3. FEU Lady Tamaraws (4-3) – 116 (H2H: 1-0)
4. ATENEO Blue Eagles (4-3) – 122 (H2H: 0-1)
5. NU Lady Bulldogs (3-4) – 125
6. DLSU Lady Archers (3-4) – 94
7. AdU Lady Falcons (2-5) – 113
8. UE Lady Warriors (0-7) – 74

Men’s Current Standings (W-L) — Points:

1. NU Bulldogs (6-1) — 139
2. UST Growling Tigers (5-2) — 131
3. AdU Soaring Falcons (4-3) — 136 (H2H: 1-1)
4. DLSU Green Archers (4-3) — 109 (H2H: 1-1)
5. UE Red Warriors (4-3) — 116 (H2H: 1-1)
6. FEU Tamaraws (2-5) — 132
7. UP Fighting Maroons (2-5) — 122
8. ATENEO Blue Eagles (1-6) — 110