THE ATENEO Blue Eagles maintain their dominant footing in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament with a convincing win over the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 78-65. The match occurred earlier today, October 8, at the Mall of Asia Arena in the City of Pasay.
With this victory, the Blue Eagles preserve a spotless campaign with a 4-0 win-loss standing in the first round playoffs.
Kacey Dela Rosa led her team with 17 points and 20 rebounds, while rookie Erica De Luna earned Player of the Game honors after posting 11 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
After the opening whistle, Blue Eagle guards found Sarah Makanjoula and Dela Rosa for easy bankers, 4-3. While Loyola Heights stayed present on the offense, they struggled to run back in transition as Fighting Maroon Louna Ozar gave up easy points, 6-5. With UP chasing their tail, Coach Mumar utilized De Luna, who immediately made a quick impact, 9-5.
Supplementing the rookie, Dela Rosa continued her stellar performance by converting baskets in the paint, b14-8. However, the Blue Eagles struggled to extend its lead as UP’s Rhea Solitario made baskets from range, 17-14. Looking to end the first canto on a good note, Makanjoula gave Ateneo a six-point advantage before the whistle blew, 20-14.
Coming out of the huddle, the Blue Eagles encountered foul trouble early on as successful free throws by the Fighting Maroons diminished their advantage, 23-18. Losing momentum, the Blue and White’s defense lost its edge in the half-court setting as a three from Solitario made it a two-point ball game, 24-22. Unfazed by an upturn from the UP squad, Dela Rosa and Malagar stepped in to help their team as they scored timely baskets near the rim, 30-24.
With Ateneo gaining the hot hand, Coach Mumar subbed in sharpshooter De Luna along with Makanjoula, who extended the Blue and White’s lead, 35-27. However, a three from UP’s Shuane Cunanan prevented the Katipunan-based squad from pulling away, 35-30. Following Cunanan’s three, Kacey Dela Rosa and Kate Cancio immediately responded and provided points in hopes of giving their team a comfortable advantage, 39-32.
Along with Dela Rosa, Hannah Lopez provided putback points to give Ateneo a nine-point edge, 43-34. Eyeing the double-digit advantage, Dela Rosa showcased her strength with a powerful and-one for the 11-point lead, 45-34. However, the Blue Eagles’ lead was trimmed to nine after Louna Ozar sank two free throws in the dying seconds of the half, 45-36.
In the opening stages of the second half, the Blue Eagles were determined to extend the lead, going on an early 5-0 run through a Villacruz mid-range bucket and a Malagar three-pointer, 50-36.
As the game progressed, Ateneo failed to maintain possession, resulting in a multitude of turnovers. UP proceeded to go on a blistering 10-0 run, clawing the game back, 50-46.
Eager to protect the lead, the Blue Eagles responded with their own 13-2 run, backed by a pair of Gracie Batongbakal layups and a De Luna three-pointer, re-establishing a clear advantage heading into the final quarter, 63-48.
With momentum on their side, Ateneo continued to dominate the game, playing tenacious defense and battling on the glass, 67-50, forcing a Fighting Maroon timeout two minutes into the concluding frame.
The Blue Eagles then put the finishing touches on the commanding win with yet another run, 9-2, further cementing their excellent performance, 76-56. Despite attempts from UP in the closing stages, their efforts only slightly narrowed the deficit, ending the matchup with a resounding Blue and White win, 78-65.
Looking to continue their winning ways and remain unblemished, the Blue Eagles will face the UST Growling Tigresses in their next matchup on October 11, Saturday, at 7:00 PM in the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym.
Box scores:
Ateneo (78): Dela Rosa – 17, De Luna – 11, Batongbakal – 10, Malagar – 9, Makanjoula – 9, Cancio – 6, Villacruz – 6, Lopez – 5, Oani – 5
UP (65): Maw – 13, Ozar – 13, Solitario – 12, Tapawan – 8, Vigno – 8, Cunanan – 5, Mendoza – 4, Nolasco – 2
Quarter/Set scores:
Ateneo-UP: 20-14, 45-36, 63-48, 78-65
Current Standings (W-L):
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (4-0)
- UST Growling Tigresses (3-0)
- NU Lady Bulldogs (3-1)
- UP Fighting Maroons (2-2)
- AdU Lady Falcons (1-2)
- AdU Lady Falcons (1-3)
- DLSU Lady Archers (0-3)
- UE Lady Warriors (0-3)
