THE ATENEO Women’s 3×3 Basketball Team survived a tightly-contested matchup against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws, 18-16. Their final elimination round match was held earlier today, May 2, at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in the City of Parañaque.
Heading into the UAAP Final Four, this victory secured the second seed for the Blue Eagles, finishing with a 5-2 record.
Kacey Dela Rosa shouldered Ateneo’s offensive load, showcasing her efficiency inside the arc with 12 points.
The match saw an early close affair as both squads fought tooth and nail, exhibiting their two-way prowess, 4-4. Hannah Lopez’s long bomb and Dela Rosa’s post-move resulted in a three-point edge for the Blue Eagles, 7-4. Not long after, Ateneo slowed down on the defensive end, allowing FEU to orchestrate a 3-0 run and putting the game at deadlock, 7-7.
In an attempt to inch away from the Lady Tamaraws, Dela Rosa carried the Blue Eagles on her shoulders by unleashing a solo 4-1 run, showcasing her unmatched dominance inside the paint, 11-8. However, the Blue and White’s three-point lead quickly evaporated after Lady Tamaraw Maria Pasilang fueled a game-shifting 6-2 FEU run, putting Ateneo on the backseat, 13-14.
Eager to keep their hopes alive, Dela Rosa regained the lead for the Blue Eagles with two consecutive buckets from close distance, 15-14. Just when Ateneo thought they had the game in their hands, FEU’s Espanol nailed a crucial two-pointer, resulting in a 15-16 Blue Eagle deficit.
Despite being on their heels with 35 seconds remaining, Dela Rosa delivered a contested lay-up and converted an and-one opportunity in crunch time to wrap up the game with an Ateneo victory, 18-16.
The Blue Eagles will kickstart their Final Four stint against the same Lady Tamaraws on Sunday, May 3, in the same venue, with the exact time yet to be announced.
The Final Four will be a knockout round, which brings the Blue Eagles back in the finals with a victory versus Lady Tamaraws in the semis. Should Ateneo lose in the Final Four, they will participate in the Battle for Third. Opponents and schedules for the Finals and Battle for Third will be determined tomorrow.
Box scores:
Ateneo (18): Dela Rosa – 12, H. Lopez – 2, Oani – 2, De Luna – 2
FEU (16): Espanol – 9, Pasilang – 6, De La Torre – 1, Salvani – 0
Women’s Current Standings (W-L):
- UST Growling Tigresses (7-0)*
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (5-2) *
- FEU Lady Tamaraws (5-2)*
- AdU Lady Falcons (3-3)*
- DLSU Lady Archers (2-4)
- UP Fighting Maroons (2-4)
- NU Lady Bulldogs (1-5)
- UE Lady Warriors (1-5)
* – clinched Final Four
