Following their semifinal finish at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Women’s Basketball Tournament, the Ateneo Women’s Basketball Team (AWBT) is back. This weekly series will analyze the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ state as they aspire to win it all.
THE ATENEO Women’s Basketball Team (AWBT) concluded their first-round games in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Women’s Basketball Tournament with a 5-2 win-loss slate.
Despite a competitive opening half in their first game of the week, the Blue and White’s 34 turnovers forced them to succumb to the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Lady Tigresses, 67-90. Undeterred by the loss, the Blue Eagles bounced back in decisive fashion with eight three-pointers from Team Captain Jhazmin Joson and a double-double performance from Junize Calago powering Ateneo to an 85-76 upset victory over the erstwhile undefeated University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons.
Riding on a crucial victory, the AWBT will look to carry their momentum into the second round.
1. Stars aligned
Vincent: Providing breathtaking displays and eye-popping numbers, the Blue Eagles’ current 5-2 record can be attributed to not only their exceptional team play but also remarkable individual performances from its key players. Kacey Dela Rosa has been one of the focal points for the Blue and White, stuffing the stat sheet with 18.14 points, 11.86 rebounds, 2.43 blocks, and 2.14 steals per contest. These impressive numbers are highlighted by a 23-point, 18-rebound outing against the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors. The sophomore star was also the catalyst on the defensive end as she tallied five steals and five blocks as well.
As of writing, the UAAP Season 85 Rookie of the Year is the front-runner for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award in Season 86 with 85.0 statistical points.
Dela Rosa’s frontcourt partner Sarah Makanjuola has also provided a towering presence for the Blue Eagles, putting up 10.71 boards and 1.43 rejections per game, to go along with 10.14 points. In Ateneo’s season-opening loss to defending champions National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, it was Makanjuola who led the charge with 13 markers and 10 rebounds—stepping up after Dela Rosa fouled out late in the third quarter.
In the backcourt, veteran guard Joson rose to the occasion especially when her team needed her the most down the stretch. Aside from towing the Blue and White with her season-high 29 points in their last game against UP, the Gilas Pilipinas standout also hit two crucial three-pointers during overtime to overcome the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers, 87-80. Additionally, the skipper’s ball distribution has also been elite, averaging a league-leading 5.57 assists per game.
Supplementing Joson is second-year cager Junize Calago, who has been the spark plug for the Blue and White for most of the first round. The matchup against DLSU was a prime example, with an all-around impressive performance of 22 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Four games later, the energetic guard would put up 24 markers and 12 boards in the Battle of Katipunan to help Ateneo emerge victorious.
With the second round on the horizon, contributions from key players will be imperative for the Blue Eagles going forward. Their balance of leadership and exceptional on-court play will further unlock the Blue and White’s capabilities to make even more noise in Season 86. However, there are still nuances that Coach LA Mumar and his squad must address in their quest to reach the UAAP summit.
2. Brake Check
Alfonso: The AWBT’s lack of bench points has remained a struggle throughout the first round. In their matchup against UST, they only managed to pull 14 points from their rotational players compared to the Tigresses’ 64 points.
Moreover, their win over the Fighting Maroons was an extreme example of the starter-to-bench discrepancy, as the Blue Eagles underwhelmingly scored four bench points compared to their counterparts’ 32.
Relying on their starting five to carry much of the scoring load, Ateneo closed out the first round dead last in the bench points department. As they enter the second half of the tournament with a huge target on their back, the Blue Eagles must diversify their scoring options, especially if their starters are unavailable.
Perimeter shooting has also been lackluster for the Blue and White, as they measly averaged 27.5% from three-point range in the first round. In comparison, reigning seven-peat champions National University prided themselves with a league-leading average of 32.8% from the arc.
Dela Rosa and Makanjuola have proven that the Blue Eagles’ offense is strong when it is emphasized in the paint. Yet, it is essential that they match the likes of NU and FEU in terms of offensive output from the perimeter.
Another adjustment that the Blue Eagles must make is from the defensive end as they currently rank seventh in terms of total points allowed. In the seven games that they have played, Ateneo allowed opposing teams to score an average of 72.6 points. While it is undeniable that Dela Rosa, Makanjuola, Joson, and Calago have been the bright spots of Ateneo’s defense, Coach Mumar must make immediate changes to the team’s defensive gameplans.
Despite the necessary adjustments that must be done, there is much to anticipate for the Blue Eagles. As the team closed off the first round with a winning record, the sky is the limit for this burgeoning squad as they enter the second half of the tournament.
3. Unwritten Chapters
Eury: In a flourish of triumph and resolve, the AWBT’s impressive 5-2 win-loss record speaks volumes of their growth and determination. Amidst fierce battles against the likes of the Lady Tigresses and Lady Bulldogs, these encounters have proven to be mere building blocks that helped lay down the foundation for the Blue and White’s mettle and path to glory.
As previously highlighted, key statistics from the Ateneo mainstays underscore the squad’s breakthrough, with stellar offensive and defensive numbers reflecting their progress. Breaking free from their initial underdog status last season, the ladies in Blue and White have now taken center stage by commanding the spotlight and redefining the tournament’s narrative.
With the dawning of the second round, our focus shifts to the forthcoming matchups where a host of compelling storylines beckon on the skyline. Perhaps, one of the most eagerly anticipated developments is the continued display of Joson’s captaincy abilities. The well-rounded sharpshooter’s mastery of hardwood dynamics serves as a linchpin for the team’s on-court strategy, and her stewardship an instrumental piece in the Blue Eagles’ journey in the contest.
Another intriguing aspect to look out for is the monstrous double-double performances delivered by Dela Rosa in nearly every rivalry. This leaves us with the tantalizing prospect of her ability to soon achieve a triple-double performance on the floor—an exceptional feat last accomplished by none other than Joson herself in the previous season.
Finally, a riveting showdown looms on the horizon as Ateneo is positioned against reigning champions NU to open their ventures in the second round of games. Having recently snapped the Fighting Maroons’ perfect record over the weekend, the possibility of whether the girls can finally elude the Bulldogs’ grasp and angle themselves toward a championship bid remains promising.
Driven by an unwavering commitment to excel, the Katipunan-based squad stands on the precipice of a thrilling odyssey, primed for greatness and merit in this year’s UAAP landscape.
This week’s games
Wednesday, October 25, at 1:00 PM, vs. National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
Sunday, October 29, at 11:00 AM, vs. University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
Current standings (W-L)
UP Fighting Maroons: 6-1
NU Lady Bulldogs: 6-1
UST Lady Tigresses: 5-2
ATENEO Blue Eagles: 5-2
FEU Lady Tamaraws: 2-5
DLSU Lady Archers: 2-5
ADU Lady Falcons: 2-5
UE Lady Warriors: 0-7
