LOOKING TO make a Final Four push, the Ateneo Blue Eagles captured varying results midway through the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 Women’s 3×3 Basketball tournament. The Blue and White first lost against the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs but rebounded with a strong win against the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors. The third day of the competition took place earlier today at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City.

With the results, Ateneo now holds a 2-3 win-loss record, good for a three-way tie for fourth in the standings alongside Far Eastern University and De La Salle University. 

Matchup versus NU

The Blue Eagles suffered a two-point defeat in their opening matchup against the Lady Bulldogs, 15-17. Despite the loss, 5×5 Most Valuable Player Kacey Dela Rosa exhibited an outstanding performance, tallying nine points, five rebounds, and one steal.

The duel started off as a close defensive game, leading to a 0-1 game after two minutes of action. Helping lift Ateneo’s offensive production, Dela Rosa single-handedly rallied her team into the matchup, tallying three markers to answer the Jhocson-based unit’s scoring, 3-3.

Dela Rosa continued her offensive output, scoring from inside the paint and beyond the arc to give the Blue Eagles a two-point cushion midway through the game, 10-8. However, Dan Alterado of the Lady Bulldogs muscled through the Blue Eagles’ defense, forcing an and-one play to put the clash in a deadlock, 10-10.

With the momentum shifting back and forth between the teams, Seng Calago reignited Ateneo’s offense with three-straight points to force another stalemate, 13-13. However, the Gold and Blue countered with their own offensive surge, as Alterado sliced through the lane and Xy Pring did damage from beyond the arc, helping NU reclaim the lead, 16-13.

With Ateneo’s backs against the wall, Dela Rosa scored a point off of a free throw, cutting the lead down to two. However, with seconds left in the game, the Blue Eagles committed a costly turnover, leading to an easy layup by Marga Villanueva to give NU a three-point lead, 17-14. Dela Rosa then knocked down a bucket to cut the deficit to two, but the Lady Bulldogs already had done enough to swipe victory away from the Blue and White, 15-17.

Matchup versus UE:

After the tough loss, the Blue Eagles entered the hardwood against the Lady Warriors eager to reinsert themselves into the win column. Wasting no time, the Blue and White started the match with strong penetration to the rim along with stifling defense, 4-1. 

Dela Rosa continued her stellar performance, showcasing her shotmaking skills and effectively using her size and length to attack the interior, 6-2. With established momentum on offense, the Blue Eagles tightened their defense, pushing their adversaries to settle for low-percentage shots from long range. Alongside their defensive exploits, Dela Rosa continued operating from the post, finding cutters to give the Blue Eagles a 9-3 lead. 

Holding a sizable advantage, the Katipunan-based squad decided to rest Dela Rosa. Even without their key piece, the Blue Eagles continued their hot shooting as Lauren Lopez hit a long-distance bucket, 11-3. With momentum mounting, Ateneo’s Calago drove to the rim for an emphatic and-one layup, seizing a double-digit 13-3 advantage.

Dela Rosa re-entered the court once more after her rest and took control, using her post moves to overwhelm the UE defenders. On the left block, she received the ball and drove with force, resulting in another and-one for the Blue and White, 15-3. After their 4-0 run, the Blue Eagles finally met resistance as their adversaries started finding the bottom of the net. However, a Dela Rosa three from the wing elevated Ateneo back into a double-digit cushion, 18-7. 

With full command of the paint, Dela Rosa continued her dominance with a rebound and a kick-out that resulted in a Kai Oani two-pointer, 20-8. Needing two more points for a win, Calago called game as he hit a corner three to end Ateneo’s day in sharp form, 22-12.

With their victory today, the Blue Eagles aim to continue building on their postseason hunt tomorrow against the De La Salle University Lady Archers at 4 PM in the same venue.

Box Scores:

Matchup versus NU:

Ateneo (15) – Dela Rosa – 9, Calago – 4, Oani – 2, Lopez – 0

NU (17) – Alterado – 10, Pring – 4, Solis – 2, Villanueva – 1

Matchup versus UE:

Ateneo (22) – Dela Rosa – 9, Calago – 5, Oani – 5, Lopez – 3

UE (12) – Lacayanga – 6, Dalcutas – 5, Ronquillo – 1, Vacalares – 0

Current Standings (W-L):

1. UST Growling Tigresses (6-0)

2. UP Fighting Maroons (5-0)

3. NU Lady Bulldogs (3-2)

4. FEU Lady Tamaraws (2-3)

5. DLSU Lady Archers (2-3)

6. ATENEO Blue Eagles (2-3)

7. AdU Lady Falcons (1-4)

8. UE Lady Warriors (0-5)