With Season 88 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Women’s Basketball Tournament in full swing, this weekly series will track the flight path of the Blue Eagles as they seek to proclaim their long-awaited championship.

THROUGH TWO contests that featured the Blue Eagles’ exhilarating highs and recurring lows, the Ateneo Women’s Basketball Team has found themselves tied for the top spot in this year’s tournament. With two games under her belt, Kacey Dela Rosa has proven once more that she remains the league’s undisputed talent, with talks of her capturing her third Most Valuable Player (MVP) crown. 

The Blue and White first showed out in their Season 88 debut, dismantling the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws in dominant fashion, 81-52. The match-up, which occurred last September 17, featured the chemistry brewing between the Blue Eagle mainstays and new recruits.

The team’s in-game connection and hardened vitality were then tested as they staved off the Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons last September 28 in a tight 70-60 game, powered by Dela Rosa’s fourth-quarter upturn.

The opening pair of victories has demonstrated that the Blue Eagles are well on their way to a Final Four berth like the seasons prior, currently tied with their rival, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons. With many contests still left in the UAAP calendar, Loyola Heights squad has displayed a newfound energy that has them gunning to take down the tournament’s behemoths.

Levels above

RV: Just two games into the season, Kacey Dela Rosa has already reaffirmed her status as a dominating force on the court. Combining her commanding presence with high-efficiency scoring and brilliant rim protection, the two-time Most Valuable Player has set the pace early—showcasing the performance and leadership that are poised to define Ateneo’s campaign this year.

In their opening bout against the Lady Tamaraws, Dela Rosa immediately made a statement, nearly notching a double-double with 29 points, nine rebounds, five steals, and four blocks. She continued this relentless showing against the Lady Falcons, dominating the paint with 24 points, 19 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks to lead Ateneo to its first victory against AdU since Season 86.

Adding to her technical brilliance is her unparalleled efficiency on the offense. Dela Rosa shot 72.2% from the field against FEU, then elevated her game further with an astounding 88.9% shooting clip in the win over Adamson. Beyond the stat sheet, this level of consistency highlights not only her scoring prowess but also her ability to maximize every opportunity, cementing her as the centerpiece of Ateneo’s offense.

While Season 88 is still in its early stages, the remarkable displays of skill and athleticism from the 6’0” center already strengthen her case for another MVP award under her belt. The undeniable dominance and physicality in the paint show that Dela Rosa remains a force to be reckoned with. In crucial moments, she steps up to dictate the pace of games and leads the Ateneo campaign. 

With this in mind, it will be intriguing to see how long-time rivals De La Salle Lady Archers and top-seeded UP Fighting Maroons attempt to contain one of the league’s most unshakeable interior threats. The Lady Archers, who have pushed Ateneo to the limit in tight encounters, remain a constant test of resilience in the paint. Meanwhile, the currently undefeated Fighting Maroons have already felt the sting of Dela Rosa’s dominance in statement wins that derailed their Final Four hopes last season. While rivals strategize to slow her down, Dela Rosa’s dominance keeps Ateneo firmly in control of their own narrative this season.

‘Eaglets Three’

AJ: Underneath the excellent start from the Blue and White has been the rapid ascent of Ateneo’s coveted eaglets. The trio of Camille Malagar, Hannah Lopez, and Erica de Luna may not have eye-opening statistics, but their on-court contributions have turned Ateneo into an early title contender.

In the tournament’s opening week, Ateneo’s heralded rookies proved their worth by cleaning up missed shots and dishing out go-ahead dimes that have accelerated the Katipunan offense. Namely, Malagar and de Luna have combined for 19 rebounds and 10 assists through two games, an impressive stat as they share a court with the likes of Dela Rosa, Sarah Makanjuola, and Kai Oani. However, the rookies’ weakness has been putting the ball into the net, as they have shot only 28.1% from the field, with a measly 16.7% from the three-point line.

Out of the three newcomers, none has made their presence more known than de Luna, who has acted as a complementary star alongside Ateneo’s twin-tower duo. The two-way prowess she promised in high school has effortlessly transitioned onto the grand stage, as she has led the team in assists with four in each of her outings. Her two games with the Blue Eagles have highlighted plenty of positives, showing off her ball-handling capabilities and being the defensive sparkplug Ateneo has desperately needed off the bench.

Early into the season, Malagar has gained plenty of trust with Head Coach LA Mumar, turning into a productive starter through two victories. Malagar’s UAAP career began with a slow start, netting only three points in her debut against FEU. However, the following game against Adamson proved her value to the Blue Eagles. In a game that saw Ateneo’s lead slowly diminish on multiple occasions, the 5’6” guard knocked down timely triples that kept the Blue Eagles in the driver’s seat.

Rounding out the impressive trio is Lopez, who has cemented herself to be one of the team’s lethal long-range shooters. Lopez knocked down her first and only three of the tournament so far, with many more opportunities in the coming weeks to make her statement beyond the arc.

With the season well underway, the Blue and White’s eaglets have turned the tide for a bench unit that has struggled mightily in past years. Luckily for Ateneo, their reliance on the Blue and White’s starting lineup has diminished in a way that opponents are now inclined to cover the entire half-court. 

Together, these three rookies provide a two-way punch that the Blue Eagles need to keep up with the league’s elite groups. Ateneo’s young core has an exciting future ahead of them, but their spirits will be tested with the Blue Eagles’ grueling schedule in the coming weeks.

Tactical edge

Ani: Although the team has had individual flashes of brilliance from the likes of Dela Rosa and newly minted rookies, credit must also be given to Head Coach Mumar and the entire coaching staff for the Blue Eagles’ early success.

Heading into their opening matchups, the game plan was clear: attack the paint and generate high-efficiency chances. As a result, the Blue Eagles, in their bout against UE, amassed a total of 50 points in the paint, all while shooting 47.5% from the field. Following up this dominant performance, the team continued to find opportunities down low, scoring 36 points near the hoop against Adamson.

Beyond their inside dominance, the team has also asserted themselves in rebounding. Against UE, the Blue Eagles secured a +10 rebound advantage and followed that performance with an even more convincing outing against Adamson, winning the battle on the glass by +15. This consistent control in the interior has not only provided Ateneo with more opportunities on offense but also set the tempo on the defensive side, further solidifying their dominance in the paint.

This approach on the inside has only highlighted the tactics of Head Coach Mumar and the coaching staff, as they have leaned into their team’s strengths to get the most out of the squad’s early-season performance.

However, it is also clear that the unit is still familiarizing themselves with one another with the introduction of new faces to the Blue and White. In particular, turnovers have been the most telltale sign of these growing pains, as Ateneo struggled at times in decision-making. 

In just two games, the Blue Eagles have committed a total of 50 turnovers, leading to losses in momentum, stagnation on the offensive end, and easy scoring chances for the opposition. Although the team is just starting to gel in the season’s early stages, Ateneo will need to refine their decision-making to build consistency and close out games in high-pressure moments.

In addition to maintaining the ball, the squad must also begin to develop sharper accuracy with shooting from the perimeter. Without reliable production from the three-point line, the Blue Eagles risk becoming too one-dimensional, relying heavily on just interior scoring and allowing opponents to strategize game plans that minimize the team’s strengths.

Converting only 7.1% from distance in their bout against UE and 25.0% beyond the arc against Adamson, the Blue Eagles’ shooting struggles have been evident. Finding rhythm from three will be crucial to generating more opportunities in the paint and make defending Ateneo a nightmare for any team in the league.

At 2-0, the Blue Eagles are off to a great start in the opening stages of this season. However, their early success should not overshadow areas that need refinement. If they are able to cut down turnovers, make more opportunities from behind the arc, and continue to dominate inside, then Ateneo has all the tools to make a deep run and give any team a run for their money this season.

This week’s games

Sunday, October 5, at 7:00 PM, vs. De La Salle University Lady Archers at the Mall of Asia Arena 

Wednesday, October 8, at 7:00 PM, vs. University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons at the Mall of Asia Arena

Saturday, October 11, at 7:00 PM, vs. UST Growling Tigresses at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym