THE ATENEO Blue Eagles remained unshaken, dodging the arrows of the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88, 77-58. The matchup took place earlier today, October 5, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, City of Pasay.
This victory maintains Ateneo’s unbeaten record, tied for first in the standings with a 3-0 win-loss record.
Two-time defending UAAP Most Valuable Player Kacey Dela Rosa led the Blue and White with 15 points and grabbed 13 boards. Meanwhile, Camille Malagar finished the game as the second leading scorer with 13 points.
Looking to avenge their last encounter with the Lady Archers, the Blue Eagles caught on fire, as seven early points from Malagar gave them an eight-point lead, 11-3. Alongside their hot shooting, bigs Dela Rosa and Sarah Makanjoula patrolled the paint, denying inside attempts from the Lady Archers. Due to their stifling defense, the Blue and White looked for easy transition buckets, which resulted in a 12-point lead, 15-3.
Eyeing to extend his squad’s advantage, Head Coach L.A. Mumar utilized guards Hannah Lopez and Erica De Luna to hunt baskets. Both Blue Eagles combined for seven points to extend their edge, 22-4. Following their quick run, Kate Cancio converted two attempts from the charity stripe to give Ateneo a 20-point lead, 24-4.
However, the Blue and White faced resistance from Lady Archers Aiesha Dizon and Kyla Sunga, who made tough baskets inside, 26-10. Looking to end the quarter on a good note, De Luna continued her impressive performance, as she made a floater to end the first quarter, 28-10.
Entering the second canto, the Blue Eagles struggled to contain the Lady Archers’ offense as they gave up seven quick points inside the paint, 30-17. This run was immediately stifled by Dela Rosa and Malagar, as the duo made their presence known with buckets inside the paint, 35-20.
The Blue Eagles’ authority waned as Lady Archers Aiesha Dizon and Mica Camba’s floaters and layups cut into Ateneo’s lead, 35-26. However, Cancio and Kai Oani quickly answered with four quick points to enter the break with a nine-point advantage, 39-30.
Refusing to be complacent, the Blue Eagles maintained a governing offensive run. Malagar kicked the second half off with a long-range shot at 42-30. Oani then stretched Ateneo’s cushion further by 13 with a layup, 46-33. Despite Ateneo stepping up on defense, Lady Archer Camba managed to drill a two for her team at 46-35. Furthermore, a foul by Dela Rosa allowed La Salle’s team captain a three-point play, inching closer at 48-38.
As Ateneo fell victim to their infractions on the floor, tensions got higher with DLSU’s Mendoza drilling a basket from downtown, cutting the lead to six at 51-45. To compensate, Gracie Batongbakal and De Luna responded with threes of their own, 57-45.
Continuing their offensive prowess at the concluding frame, Dela Rosa deepened the Lady Archers’ wound with consecutive pointers at 64-46. While the game continued to be plagued by violations from both teams, Dela Rosa ended the scoring drought with an inside basket, 68-46.
Staying steady, Oani ensured Ateneo’s firm hold on the driver’s seat, draining a perimeter shot to widen the divide by 22 at 71-49. The Blue and White’s guard sustained her run, converting a jumper for 74-53. With Sophia Cruza contributing a basket for the Blue Eagles, the match concluded with an unmatched 77-58 turnout.
Riding their hot streak, the Blue Eagles look to remain victorious against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on October 8, Wednesday, at 7:00 PM in the same venue.
Box scores:
Ateneo (77): Dela Rosa – 15, Malagar – 13, Oani – 12, De Luna – 11, Cancio – 8, Villacruz – 4, Batongbakal – 3, Cruza – 3, Lopez – 3, Makanjoula – 3, Olivenza – 2
DLSU (58): Camba – 11, Mendoza – 11, Delos Reyes – 8, Dizon – 8, Sunga – 5, Nofisat – 4, Go – 3, Lubrico – 3, Villarin – 3, Anastacio – 2
Quarter/Set scores:
Ateneo-DLSU: 28-10, 39-30, 59-45, 77-58
Current Standings (W-L):
- UST Growling Tigresses (3-0)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (3-0)
- NU Lady Bulldogs (2-1)
- UP Fighting Maroons (2-1)
- AdU Lady Falcons (1-2)
- AdU Lady Falcons (1-2)
- DLSU Lady Archers (0-3)
- UE Lady Warriors (0-3)
