THE ATENEO Women’s Basketball Team (AWBT) caved in against the Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons, 71-77, in their second-round meeting of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament. The game occurred earlier today, November 23, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in the City of Pasay.
This loss places the Blue Eagles’ record at 8-5, while already securing a Final Four spot.
Kacey Dela Rosa led the Blue and White with 18 points along with 13 rebounds, while Hannah Lopez tallied 14 points for the Blue Eagles.
The Blue Eagles and Lady Falcons started the match exchanging corner threes, 3-3. Following the trade, Kacey Dela Rosa garnered a foul down low, giving the Blue and White the advantage, 5-3. However, the Katipunan-based cagers struggled to contain their opponent’s surge, as Cheska Apag and Brianna Bajo of Adamson scored via transition and a corner three, 5-9. Struggling to contain the Lady Falcons’ potent offense, the Blue and White let go of a banker from Elaine Etang, leading to a four-point deficit, 7-11.
Looking for a spark off the bench, Head Coach LA Mumar called on Lopez, who made five quick points via a corner three and a transition layup, 12-12. Following her outburst, Blue Eagle Erica De Luna and Lady Falcon Etang answered back and forth as both scored baskets near the rim, 14-15. Nearing the end of the first canto, Sarah Makanjoula decided to showcase her skill near the rim by scoring buckets inside the paint to end the opening quarter, 18-17.
To kick-start the second quarter, Dela Rosa willed her team to extend their advantage through free throws and a layup, 23-19. However, Dela Rosa’s quick run was followed by a five-point return by Apag, who scored a bucket near the rim and from rainbow country, 23-24. Looking to stop the bleeding for Ateneo, Coach Mumar called on Lopez again, as she sank a corner three, 26-26.
Following both teams’ quick exchanges, both Makanjoula and De Luna fueled the Blue Eagles’ offense as they continued to stand firm against the Lady Falcons’ baskets, 30-30. Continuing her stellar shooting performance, Lopez scored another triple from the corner, 33-30. Similar to previous possessions, the Lady Falcons quickly answered, as Kemi Adeshima and Apag scored via free throws, 33-34.
Determined to turn the tables before the break, Dela Rosa and De Luna responded via a free throw and a floater, 37-34. However, the Lady Falcons went on a quick 4-0 run to end the first half as Novie Ornopia scored a midrange jumper along with Cris Padilla’s free throws, 37-38.
Eager to reclaim the upper hand, Makanjuola converted off the glass at 41-40. Sandra Villacruz then boosted the advantage by five, delivering a mid-ranger, 47-42. With the Blue Eagles at a high, Lopez dropped a perimeter shot to ride the momentum, 52-44.
Despite building a comfortable lead, Ateneo’s run came to a halt after Lady Falcon Apag orchestrated an 11-0 run from consecutive shots, 55-52. The Katipunan-based squad lost their footing, enduring Lady Falcon Etang’s inside basket, 52-61. Towards the end of the third frame, Ateneo was unable to break Adamson’s streak with Lady Falcon Kemberly Limbago shooting a charity shot, 52-65.
Ending their scoring drought, Makanjuola drained a conversion inside the paint to catch up, 54-67. Camille Malagar then followed suit with a long shot to cut the deficit by ten, 57-67. Unfazed by the pressure, Gracie Batongbakal unleashed consecutive three-pointers to inch closer by five, 64-71.
Intending on repossessing the edge, Dela Rosa continued to draw nearer through charity points at 70-73. However, the Blue and White succumbed to Lady Falcon Etang’s offensive prowess after dropping an easy two for a 71-77 game turnout.
The AWBT looks to end the elimination round on a high note as they take on the De La Salle University Lady Archers on November 26, Wednesday, at 7:00 PM in the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Box Scores:
Ateneo (74): Dela Rosa – 18, Lopez – 14, Batongbakal – 12, Makanjuola – 11, Malagar – 8, De Luna – 6, Oani – 3, Villacruz – 2
AdU (77): Etang – 19, Apag – 18, Adeshina – 14, Ornopia – 10, Limbago – 7, Bajo – 3, Meniano – 2, Munoz – 2, Padilla – 2
Quarter scores:
Ateneo-AdU: 18-17, 37-38, 52-65, 71-77
Current Standings (W-L)
- UST Growling Tigresses (12-0)*
- NU Lady Bulldogs (12-1)*
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (8-5)
- AdU Lady Falcons (7-7)
- FEU Lady Tamaraws (6-7)
- De La Salle Lady Archers (5-8)
- UP Fighting Maroons (3-11)
- UE Lady Warriors (0-14)
* – clinched Final Four berth
