THE ATENEO Blue Eagles punched their ticket to the Union Sports League Women’s Collegiate Edition championship match after trampling the Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons, 70-48. The game was held earlier today at the Bubble Sports Center, Pasay City.
Two-time reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kacey Dela Rosa once again led the way for the Blue Eagles, dropping a double-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and a block, completing the comeback against the fiery Lady Falcons.
Defense was the name of the game at the onset of the semifinal bout, with both teams unable to score as three minutes elapsed. Finally breaking the scoring drought for both squads, Dela Rosa delivered with a spin layup, 2-0.
Following an array of turnovers stymying their offensive rhythm, the Blue Eagles found themselves tied, 4-4, with three minutes remaining in the first quarter. Tested by Adamson’s potent attack, the Blue Eagles fell behind, 4-7, following a three-point basket from Charlene Carcallas. Continuing to fire blanks from beyond the arc, Ateneo ended the first quarter trailing, 6-12.
The start of the second quarter added more woes to the Blue Eagles, as an unsportsmanlike foul called on Dela Rosa deepened her squad’s deficit to double digits, 8-18. With Dela Rosa forced to sit on the bench, Atenean center Sarah Makanjuola stepped up with a personal 5-0 run, leading the Blue Eagles back into the contest, 13-18.
Continuing to chip away at the lead, Ateneo ramped up the defensive pressure, getting back-to-back steals that produced layups to come within one point, 21-22. Despite the Blue and White’s intense defensive position, the team’s early foul trouble prompted an Adamson 5-1 run, 22-27.
With one minute and 30 seconds remaining in the second frame, Ateneo’s free throw shooting kept them within striking distance, 25-29. Consecutive and-one plays from Dela Rosa and rookie Hannah Lopez brought momentum to the side of the Katipunan-based unit as they regained the lead 32-31. However, Ateneo’s momentum was cut short, as Cheska Apag delivered a basket from beyond the arc to keep the Blue Eagles behind, 32-34.
Ateneo entered the second half with renewed aggressiveness in the paint, as Lopez’s fast-break finish surged the Blue Eagles ahead, 36-34. The touted recruit continued her stellar performance with a steal and finish, giving the Blue Eagles a 40-37 advantage.
Imposing their will on the defensive end, Ateneo’s pressure at the rim allowed them to build their largest lead of the match so far, 44-37. A triple from Elaine Etaing steadied Adamson momentarily, yet their struggles from the charity stripe kept Ateneo in front, 46-40.
Still ever-persistent with their defensive pressure, Ateneo stonewalled the Lady Falcon attack. A final steal and finish from Katelyn Cancio capped the Blue Eagle onslaught, as Ateneo closed the third quarter firmly in the driver’s seat, 50-40.
Eager to reach finals, the Blue Eagles turned to Dela Rosa once more to extend their lead, 52-40, following a beautiful hop-step finish over the defense. However, a technical foul was called on Makanjoula, followed by a swift drive to the ring by Adamson’s Apag, cutting the lead, 52-46.
Midway through the final frame, Dela Rosa’s coast-to-coast finish reestablished Ateneo’s double-digit advantage, 56-46. As the Loyola Heights-based squad looked to stamp their ticket into the championship match, rookie Erica De Luna netted back-to-back threes from the corner, 66-48. When the dust settled in the semifinal contest, the Blue Eagles claimed victory and booked a date in the finals with long-time rival De La Salle University (DLSU), 70-48.
With this win, the Blue Eagles set up a showdown with the DLSU Lady Archers in the Finals of the inaugural Union Sports League Women’s tournament. The battle between the two rivals will take place next weekend at the same venue, with the date and time undetermined as of writing.
Quarter scores:
Ateneo-AdU: 6-12, 32-34, 50-40, 70-48
