THE ATENEO Blue Eagles failed to get on the board on day one of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 Women’s 3×3 Basketball tournament, losing at the hands of the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses. The matches were held earlier today at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City.
Matchup versus FEU
The Katipunan-based squad faltered in their opening matchup against the Lady Tamaraws, losing by double digits. 5-on-5 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kacey Dela Rosa paced the Blue Eagles in the loss, fronting six points, five rebounds, one assist, and two blocks.
Right at the onset of the match, the Morayta-based unit jumped to an 11-3 advantage, led by Shane Salvani who capitalized on the Blue Eagles’ inability to keep the ball on a string.
Rookie Kai Oani also struggled from long distance, going 0-for-3 from the perimeter. Coupled with 16 costly turnovers, Ateneo was unable to cut the deficit, falling to the opposition by 12 points, 9-21.
Matchup versus UST
Looking to bounce back from their defeat earlier in the day, the Blue Eagles faced off against the undefeated Growling Tigresses. However, a rough start plagued the Blue and White, who committed back-to-back turnovers and quickly saw themselves fall behind, following a basket from Angelika Soriano, 0-5.
Eager to stem the tide, Dela Rosa continued her stellar outing, providing an intimidating presence at the rim with three baskets in a row to help the Blue Eagles recover, 3-5.
Oani then showcased her brilliant shooting for Ateneo, shaking off her cold offense against FEU by nailing consecutive shots from beyond the arc to give the Blue Eagles the lead, 10-8.
Despite losing their once five-point lead, however, the Growling Tigresses swiftly steadied the ship, digging in on both offense and defense to disrupt the Ateneo attack.
With the Growling Tigresses’ hot shooting, the Blue Eagles found difficulties to re-establish their offensive rhythm, surrendering a 9-2 blast that allowed UST to pull ahead, 17-12. Following another two-pointer by Kent Pastrana that extended the UST margin, Karylle Sierba delivered the final dagger for the Growling Tigresses, draining a jumper to close the match, 21-14.
The Blue Eagles look to earn their first win of the tournament as they take on the Adamson Lady Falcons tomorrow, April 29, at 5:20 PM at the same venue.
Box Scores:
Matchup versus FEU
Ateneo (9): Dela Rosa – 6, Calago – 3, Oani – 0, Cancio – 0
FEU (21): Salvani – 13, Villanueva – 4, Lopez – 2, Dela Torre – 2
Matchup versus UST
Ateneo (14): Oani – 7, Dela Rosa – 4, Calago – 3
UST (21): Pastrana – 11, Sierba – 5, Soriano – 4, Maglupay – 1
Current Standings (W-L):
- UST Growling Tigresses (2-0)
- FEU Lady Tamaraws (2-0)
- UP Fighting Maroons (2-0)
- NU Lady Bulldogs (1-1)
- DLSU Lady Archers (1-1)
- AdU Lady Falcons (0-2)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (0-2)
- UE Lady Warriors (0-2)
