THE ATENEO Women’s Basketball Team (AWBT) submitted to the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses, 79-92, in their second highly-contested battle of University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88. The game occurred earlier today, November 15, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
This loss dragged the Blue Eagles’ record to 7-4, keeping Ateneo in the middle of the Final Four hunt.
Camille Malagar took charge of the Blue and White’s conversions, registering 18 points and one steal. Kacey Dela Rosa then added 14 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks for the Blue Eagles. Meanwhile, Karylle Sierba was UST’s top scorer with 21 markers off four three-pointers.
Right from the onset, the two teams demonstrated masterful execution. Despite Breana Pineda drawing first blood for UST, Dela Rosa was quick to respond with a conversion of her own, 2-2. Dela Rosa then continued to keep the España-based squad on their toes, forcing an 8-8 deadlock with an inside basket.
Set on maintaining a close game, Malagar drained her charity points for a 12-12 game. Gracie Batongbakal then proved herself to be a reliable gunner, unleashing a perimeter shot upon entering the game, 16-16. As the shootout persisted, Kate Cancio chalked up an off-the-glass basket, which UST’s Kent Pastrana quickly countered with a point in the paint to end the first at a standstill, 22-22.
At the start of the second canto, the Blue and White lost steam as their defensive lapses allowed Brigette Santos to get two wide-open makes, 22-26. Calming the storm, Sandra Villacruz stripped the ball away and took it coast to coast for a layup, 24-26. Despite allowing another UST jumper on the key, Malagar and Dela Rosa went into overdrive, going on a combined 8-0 run through relentless runs at the rim, 32-30.
Determined to build on her squad’s dominant paint presence, Sarah Makanjuola added to Ateneo’s tally, finishing inside, 34-31. Halfway through the quarter, the Blue Eagles found problems in turnovers, surrendering the rock that led to a 6-0 run for the Growling Tigresses, 34-37. Trying to match UST’s offensive output, Kai Oani and Malagar calmly banked in five charities, putting Ateneo ahead, 39-38. The Blue Eagles’ defensive problems persisted at the end of the frame, as UST sank consecutive jumpers to extend the gap to three, 39-42.
Feeling the pressure of UST’s offensive prowess, the Blue Eagles found themselves struggling in the third frame. Dela Rosa remained driven, contributing a bucket for a one-point margin, 43-44. Despite seemingly building momentum, the Blue and White succumbed to the Growling Tigresses’ long-shot avalanche courtesy of Pastrana, Sierba, and Agatha Bron, 45-55.
To make amends, Dela Rosa capitalized on free throws, keeping the Blue Eagles alive at 50-60. As their squad continued to demonstrate their eagerness, Oani and Erica De Luna delivered downtown shots to inch closer by eight, 56-64. Malagar then unleashed a crucial three-pointer to which UST’s Santos responded with a perimeter conversion of her own, ending the third with the Blue Eagles down by nine, 61-70.
Beginning the fourth quarter, Ateneo’s fatigue became evident, allowing open jumpers for UST, which was mitigated by Villacruz’s contested jumper, 63-79. From then on, the Blue Eagles traded triples with the Growling Tigresses, led by Malagar and Oani, 69-82.
With seven minutes left, the Blue and White exploded for an 8-1 sprint that featured Makanjuola and De Luna battling under the rim for putback opportunities, 77-85. However, Ateneo’s hopes of a comeback were stumped by a Pastrana heartbreak three-point dagger, extending the disadvantage to double digits, 77-88. Even with Malagar’s last attempt, the Blue Eagles fell behind in the closing minutes, 79-92.
The AWBT looks to bounce back and bolster their Final Four chances as they take on the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on November 19, Wednesday, at 7:00 PM in the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Box Scores:
Ateneo (79): Malagar – 18, Dela Rosa – 14, Oani – 14, De Luna – 9, Makanjuola – 8, Villacruz – 8, Batongbakal – 4, Cancio – 2, Lopez – 2
UST (92): Sierba – 21, Bron – 15, Santos – 15, Pastrana – 11, C. Danganan – 9, Ambos – 7, Soriano – 4, Maglupay – 4, Onianwa – 4, Pineda – 2
Quarter scores:
Ateneo-UST: 22-22, 39-42, 61-70, 79-92
Current Standings (W-L)
- UST Growling Tigresses (12-0)*
- NU Lady Bulldogs (12-1)*
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (7-4)
- DLSU Lady Archers (4-6)
- FEU Lady Tamaraws (4-7)
- AdU Lady Falcons (4-7)
- UP Fighting Maroons (3-8)
- UE Lady Warriors (0-13)
* – clinched Final Four berth
