After falling out of contention in the Final Four for three consecutive seasons in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), the Ateneo Women’s Basketball Team (AWBT) storms back with thunderous air. This season preview digs into the Blue Eagles’ performance as they go back to the drawing board for Season 88.
REMAINING ELITE, the AWBT has been celebrated for their consistent command on the hardwood. However, another early Final Four exit hindered their way to destiny last season. After settling at fourth place in Season 87, the Blue Eagles are eager to break through the glass ceiling and bring home hardware to Loyola Heights.
Leading the charge, Sandra Villacruz, Gracie Batongbakal, and Kai Oani link up to set the course as captains of the Blue Eagles. Standing alongside them are two-time reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kacey Dela Rosa and Sarah Makanjoula, still wearing the Blue and White colors. In addition to their core, powerhouse additions Erica de Luna, Camille Malagar, and Hannah Lopez joined the flock, beefing up the unit’s depth. Under Head Coach LA Mumar’s mentorship, the AWBT is poised for an upward swing.
As they step into their next stint, the Blue Eagles are wired for action, eager to seize destiny.
1. Steps toward the summit
RV: After three straight seasons in the Final Four, the Blue Eagles have proven themselves as consistent contenders in the league. Yet, even with their steady presence in the postseason, the Blue and White have continued to fall short of a Finals appearance—a hurdle they now look to finally overcome as they set their sights on Season 88.
The AWBT opened Season 87 with authority, nabbing a 79-68 victory over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, but they struggled with consistency, tallying a 4-3 record after round one. Ateneo eventually closed the eliminations with a narrow defeat to the Adamson University Lady Falcons, settling for an 8-6 slate that secured fourth place in the standings.
Entering the stepladder semifinals, the Blue Eagles once again faced the Lady Falcons in the Final Four. In a thrilling encounter, the Katipunan-based squad fell short, 53-59, ending their season in fourth.
With consecutive Final Four appearances ending early, the Blue Eagles are set on breaking through that barrier and continuing the winning culture already cultivated in their unit. Backed by a core of veterans and the emergence of young talent, Ateneo enters UAAP Season 88 hungry to prove that they can contend with the league’s best.
In Season 87, the Blue Eagles showed sharp on-court chemistry, moving the ball with ease and creating scoring opportunities through improved teamwork. In addition, Ateneo’s supporting cast rose to the occasion, allowing the team to lean on more than just its starters. With greater depth and cohesion in their arsenal, Ateneo is on track to make another deep postseason run, with the championship now clearer in their sights than ever before.
Moreover, the development of young players will be key to sustaining the Blue Eagles’ standard of excellence. With stronger bench production and greater resilience during high-pressure moments, Ateneo is poised to push further this year. More than just chasing another Final Four berth, the Blue Eagles now aim to take the next step—transforming consistency into a Finals breakthrough.
Season 88 offers Ateneo a chance to build on last year’s lessons, maximize their growing depth, and cement themselves among the league’s elite. If the AWBT can maintain their chemistry, elevate their young guns, and sharpen their execution in the clutch, the Blue and White have every reason to believe that this is the season they finally soar into the Finals stage.
2. Powerhouse reignited
AJ: This version of the Blue Eagles is better than ever. Despite their early exits from the Final Four, Ateneo remained a threat throughout the past few years due to immense talent. With Season 88 fast approaching, the Blue Eagles are brimming with not only the aforementioned talent, but also the experience and mentality to take them to greater heights.
Among the Blue Eagles last season, no one displayed a more dominant season than cornerstone player Dela Rosa. The formidable and talented face of the league turned in her second MVP season, becoming the first female Blue Eagle to go back-to-back since Cassey Tioseco in 2007. Dela Rosa put on monstrous numbers for the year, leading the league with averages of 22.1 points, 16.0 rebounds, 3.7 blocks.
Aside from Dela Rosa, Makanjuola joined the two-time MVP in the Mythical Five, completing an imposing and disruptive duo. Throughout the entire year, Makanjuola reminded everyone of her dominating presence, serving as an intimidating force on the inside. With a chance to clinch the Final Four, Makanjuola turned in an impressive performance of 21 points and 11 rebounds, showcasing her two-way prowess in a commanding frontcourt.
In addition to the league honors of the twin towers, the Blue and White’s leadership is now carried by a trio—Villacruz, Batongbakal, and Oani. These three players exemplify a mixture of experience, youth, and leadership that will be crucial for the Blue Eagles’ push into a championship bid—one that has been waiting in the wings for 18 years.
Besides an experienced and battle-tested team built for the rigorous road to the championship, the squad saw the need to retool over the summer. In particular, the Blue Eagles reached far and wide to seek reinforcements in the form of a handful of star rookies.
3. Waiting in the wings
Carmela: Undoubtedly, Ateneo is home to some of the UAAP Women’s basketball game-changers such as Dela Rosa and Makanjoula. This lethal duo not only led the statistical charts, but also spearheaded every single game. However, all runs eventually stop—time to find the next woman up.
Head Coach Mumar expressed his enthusiasm over the Blue Eagles’ recent additions during an interview with the Tiebreaker Times. “The goal is to surround Kacey (Dela Rosa) with quality players who can help us reach the next level,” Mumar shared.
Answering the call, new reinforcements have arrived to aid Ateneo’s hotshots. Sharing the stage with the emerging Oani, Ateneo rookies de Luna, Lopez, and Malagar entered the fold with already impressive resumes.
A product of the UAAP girls’ basketball, de Luna was already turning heads before going blue. The 18-year-old guard made history with the first quadruple-double performance of the high school league, recording 32 points, 16 rebounds, 12 steals and 11 assists in La-Salle Zobel’s 114-24 domination over Ateneo last season.
Next in order, Gilas Youth member Lopez became part of the fold, boosting the team’s high basketball IQ and long-range shooting. Hailing from Denmark High School, the 18-year-old Lopez honed her skills competing in the Amateur Athletic Union Circuit, playing for the Redline Basketball Club. In addition, the 5-foot-8 forward was among the Philippines’ U16 roster that entered the 2021 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Women’s Asian Championship Division B.
Completing the star-studded haul, Filipino-American Malagar came into the mix for a quick double stint. A graduate of Christopher Newport University, the 5-foot-6 guard played in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III. In her last run, she averaged 10.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Now taking up her masters, Malagar is committed to utilizing her two eligibility years mentoring the young generation of Blue Eagles.
Meanwhile, Gilas Pilipinas Women’s U18 member Candice Udal, who was also set to debut this season, recently bowed out of contention due to an injury. Another fruit of De La Salle-Zobel, the 20-year-old forward will undoubtedly be a valuable piece to the team in Season 89.
Despite the loss of a potential key player, the newly added faces can still be expected to add more depth and versatility to the team. Locked and loaded, the Ateneo roster intends to enter the new season as a force to be reckoned with.
With fresh talent and a core lineup keeping their edge, the pack is ready to dominate. What’s awaiting the Blue Eagles? Nothing but the sky above.
Upcoming games
Wednesday, September 24, at 12:00 PM, vs. University of the East Lady Warriors at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion
Sunday, September 28, at 7:00 PM, vs. Adamson University Lady Falcons at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
