The Ateneo Women’s Basketball Team (AWBT) fell prey to the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses in the Milcu Sports Got Skills Basketball – National Women’s Basketball Tournament, 73-99. The opening game was held earlier today, June 7, at Hoops Haven in the City of Pasay.
Set up against the Season 88 mother league champions, the Blue Eagles struggled to find their game, as the Growling Tigresses orchestrated an early 6-0 run. To break the ice, Cancio executed a spin move for an inside score, 2-6.
Despite Cancio’s efforts, the Blue and White failed to hold back Nicole Danganan’s back-to-back conversions, 2-13. Cancio was compelled to capitalize on consecutive charity shots at 6-19, while Erica de Luna aided her teammate and forged a jumper, 8-22.
The Katipunan-based squad attempted to crawl their way back into the game through Seng Calago’s three-point play at 11-24. However, the Blue Eagles were outpaced by Karylle Sierba and Nicole Danganan, who contributed markers for UST, 16-31. While Cancio went off the glass, she was countered by Erinn McAlary’s easy two to end the frame.
The start of the second quarter saw Atenean rookie Alyssa Rodriguez bringing in a mid-ranger at 20-33. Kai Oani chipped in with a perimeter shot to cut the margin to 12, 23-35. Despite their efforts, the Blue Eagles suffered a 0-8 run as UST secured multiple steals, 23-43. Calago then stepped up and responded to Rachelle Ambos and Brig Santos’ respective baskets through points on the line, 25-47.
With the Black and Gold demonstrating strong defense, Cancio took advantage of successive foul shots, 28-54. Hannah Lopez and Calago remained unfazed by the gap, unleashing long shots apiece to conclude the first half, 37-60.
Regardless of the drive, Ateneo encountered Oma Onianwa, who delivered the biggest lead of the game out of a perimeter basket, 37-66. De Luna and Oani hustled to chalk in points off the glass, 41-68. This eventually ignited a 5-0 surge as Calago and Oani took over on offense, 49-73. Staying driven, Calago countered Nicole Danganan’s buckets with a penalty shot, 50-77.
With UST sensing Ateneo’s tenacity, the Blue Eagles suffered a 0-5 run from the Growling Tigresses’ varied buckets, 52-82. In response, Calago softened the blow with a triple, 55-82, while Oani followed suit and sank her own deep shot at 60-89.
As the girls from España dominated on fastbreak plays, Cancio forced penalty shots as a reply, 64-91. Calago supplemented Cancio with a downtown marker and a run-and-gun attempt, 71-97. Regardless of Sarah Makanjuola’s inside effort, the match eventually concluded with a 73-99 outcome.
Determined to gain their first win, the AWBT will go against the University of the East Lady Warriors on June 12, 9:30 AM at the same venue.
Quarter scores:
Ateneo-UST: 18-33, 37-60, 50-77, 73-99
