DISPLAYING A masterful string of team excellence, the Ateneo Women’s 3×3 Basketball Team bagged their first-ever gold medal in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 3×3 Basketball tournament.

Ateneo’s quartet of Kacey Dela Rosa, Seng Calago, Kai Oani, and Lauren Lopez first conquered the formerly undefeated University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses, 14-10, in a thrilling semifinals standoff. The Blue and White then put down the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws, 21-17, en route to their UAAP Season 87 championship victory.

Semifinals vs. UST

The Blue Eagles entered the Final Four contest against the 7-0 Growling Tigresses as overwhelming underdogs. Despite the odds being stacked against them, the Katipunan-based unit pulled through on the big stage with a 14-10 victory.

Both squads stepped on the gas pedal to begin, trading buckets and committing physical fouls to enter an early 3-all deadlock. The Blue and White then seized the momentum at the midpoint with a Calago jumper and a low-post Dela Rosa layup, 6-4.

Ateneo’s momentum was immediately stalled, however, as they gave up a 3-0 run to UST’s CJ Maglupay and Eka Soriano, 6-7. Sensing urgency, Lopez and Calago executed a swift series of passes to find Dela Rosa for a freebie, taking back the advantage, 8-7.

Calago then nabbed a crucial steal, paving the way for an easy drive to the rim, 11-9. With victory in their sights, the Blue Eagles turned their attention to the defensive end, forcing the Growling Tigresses into a difficult position. As the clock inched closer to triple zeros, Calago and Dela Rosa spearheaded a 3-1 rally to seal their team’s ticket to the finals, 14-10.

Dela Rosa led the score with seven points off a perfect 6-of-6 shooting clip while also grabbing 12 rebounds for the Blue and White. Meanwhile, Calago and Lopez chipped in four and three markers for Ateneo, respectively.

The Blue Eagles’ stifling defense also held Kent Pastrana to just four points, forcing the UST star to a dismal 3-for-13 clip from the field.

Finals vs. FEU

Entering the finals with two previous podium finishes under their belt, during the tournament’s time as a demonstration sport in Season 80, and once again in Season 85, the Blue Eagles finally had their first chance to gain the crown for Ateneo.

The ever-reliant Blue Eagle duo of Dela Rosa and Calago shined early on, propelling Ateneo to a 2-0 start. However, Lady Tamaraw Shane Salvani lit up the court to bring FEU back into the ballgame and take the lead away from the Blue and White, 3-4.

In what turned out to be a nail-biting back-and-forth affair, Salvani continued to trade baskets with Dela Cruz and Calago, but FEU’s 8-7 lead would end up being their last of the match. With Oani finally finding her stroke from deep, the Blue Eagles regained the lead at 9-8.

From thereon, it would be the Dela Rosa show for Ateneo, as the standout center used her size advantage to punish the Lady Tamaraws down low. Continuing to get easy makes in the paint while drawing multiple fouls for easy charities at the line, the Blue Eagles took a comfortable 13-9 advantage.

However, Salvani continued to power through for FEU, with her two-point makes bringing the Recto-based unit back to within one, 15-14. Though with a quick response by Calago from deep, 17-14, the Lady Tamaraws remained unrelenting in their fight, tying the match at 17-all.

Undeterred by FEU’s pushback, the Loyola Heights-based quartet shifted gears and set their sights on the gold. With a huge long-distance bomb by Calago, 19-17, followed by a Lady Tamaraw foul on Dela Rosa, Ateneo had the chance to ice the game at the line.

Splitting her free throws at 20-17, Dela Rosa capitalized on one last chance to bring the crown home to Katipunan. With an effortless basket inside the paint over the undersized FEU defenders, Ateneo’s superstar veteran clinched the title for Loyola Heights, 21-17.

With a monstrous double-double performance, Dela Rosa was named the Player of the Game after putting up 11 points on 9-for-12 shooting, 10 rebounds, two assists, and one block and steal apiece. The towering stalwart was also crowned as the season’s Most Valuable Player, adding on to her extensive trophy collection.

Having conquered the peak of UAAP 3×3, the Ateneo Women’s Basketball Team will look to continue building on their newfound success and bring the same confidence to the hardwood in next season’s 5-on-5 action.

Wrapping up a historic first-ever championship for Ateneo in Women’s 3×3, the Blue Eagles will proudly return to Katipunan as the new heirs to the half-court throne.

Box Scores:

Semifinals match vs UST

Ateneo (14): Dela Rosa – 7, Calago – 4, Lopez – 3, Oani – 0

UST (10): Pastrana – 4, Maglupay – 3, Soriano – 3, Sierba – 0

Finals match vs FEU

Ateneo (21): Dela Rosa – 11, Calago – 7, Oani – 3, Lopez – 0

FEU (17): Salvani – 9, Villanueva – 4, Dela Torre – 3, Lopez – 1