THE ATENEO Blue Eagles remain comfortable within the top four after besting the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88, 81-57. The matchup took place earlier today, November 5, at the Mall of Asia Arena in the City of Pasay.
This victory situates the Blue Eagles at third place with a 7-3 win-loss record in the elimination round of the UAAP Women’s Basketball tournament.
Hannah Lopez led the Blue and White with 18 points, two steals, and one rebound. Alongside Lopez, Dela Rosa remained as the top scorer, tallying 19 points and seven rebounds for the Blue Eagles.
Sandra Villacruz and Dela Rosa capitalized on charity points, gaining an early 4-0 lead in the opening frame. With an evident scoring drought on the floor, a rookie connection between Lopez and Erica De Luna ignited the offense with a perimeter shot for a six-point margin, 9-3. Both teams struggled to find their rhythm on the court, causing the canto to end with Kate Cancio’s free-throw conversions at 13-7.
From the onset of the second quarter, the Katipunan-based squad dominantly took control of the floor. Just two minutes in, Kai Oani and Camille Malagar chalked up consecutive long shots for a 21-7 advantage. Regardless of Aliyah Ronquillo’s efforts to steer the Lady Warriors back on track, Dela Rosa ensured dominance from the Blue Eagles, 26-11. Gracie Batongbakal then sustained the fiery energy with a downtown conversion to extend Ateneo’s lead by 17 points, 31-14. Concluding the first half, Lopez delivered a bucket to forge a 37-19 advantage against the Lady Warriors.
Looking to continue their stellar form, Dela Rosa scored five quick points, including an and-one layup, 42-22. Flexing her authority, Dela Rosa soared to catch a Cancio alley-oop, 44-22. Cementing their team’s advantage, Lopez and Batongbakal scored six quick points from three pointers, 50-26. However, the Blue and White struggled to contain Lady Warrior Sai Onate, who fueled a stunning 10-0 run to keep her team’s hope for a comeback ablaze, 50-36.
Seeking to end the scoring drought, De Luna scored a floater from the corner, 52-36, while Dela Rosa utilized her power in the paint to garner free throws, 54-36. To conclude the third canto, De Luna continued her impeccable performance by powering a ten-point run with multiple steals, 64-36.
Opening the final frame, Player of the Game Lopez carried the Blue and White with two corner threes and a transition layup, 72-38. However, Lady Warrior Rachel Lacayanga fueled a quick run for her team by scoring baskets near the rim, 72-42. Looking to fight fire with fire, De Luna found Rish Olivenza down low to thwart the UE threat, 74-42.
Looking for a final push in the last five minutes, Lady Warrior Ronquillo powered a 4-0 run via transition layups, 74-46. However, the Blue Eagles immediately responded as Dela Rosa and Monique Fetalvero contributed five quick points, 79-50. UE’s Onate went on a scoring outburst to end the match, trying to give her team a final lifeline, but her efforts were futile as the game ended at 81-57.
Seeking to contend for the second seed, the Ateneo Blue Eagles will face the DLSU Lady Archers on Sunday, November 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Box scores:
Ateneo (81): Dela Rosa – 19, Lopez – 18, De Luna – 10, Batongbakal – 10, Malagar- 6, Cancio – 6, Oani – 3, Fetalvero – 3, Villacruz – 2, Olivenza- 5, Makanjuola – 2
UE (57): Onate – 14, Ronquillo – 11, Buscar – 9, Lacayanga – 9, Vacalares – 7, Gullim – 5, Lumibao – 2
Quarter/Set scores:
Ateneo-UE: 13-7, 37-19, 64-38, 81-57
Current Standings (W-L):
- UST Growling Tigresses (9-0)
- NU Lady Bulldogs (9-1)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (7-3)
- AdU Lady Falcons (4-6)
- DLSU Lady Archers (4-6)
- FEU Lady Tamaraws (4-6)
- UP Fighting Maroons (2-7)
- UE Lady Warriors (0-10)
