UAAP: Ateneo win sends Adamson to women’s basketball Final Four

Ateneo’s Kacey Dela Rosa.–UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo bolstered its chances for the last Final Four ticket with a 75-66 win over University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Kacey Dela Rosa had another monstrous performance of 28 points and 19 rebounds — her 11th double-double this season — to go with five blocks, two assists, and two steals to keep the Blue Eagles in fourth place with a 6-5 record.

After trailing by one, 48-47, early in the fourth, Dela Rosa led her team’s 16-3 run for a 63-51 lead with 6:25 to go.

READ: UAAP: Kent Pastrana struggles but still leads UST Tigresses past Ateneo

Ateneo (6-5) beats UP (3-7) with a 75-66 victory to boost its chances for the last Final Four ticket in the #UAAPSeason87 women’s basketball.

NU (9-0), UST (9-1), and Adamson (8-3) book the first three berths. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/culx9sPXUC

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) October 30, 2024

The Fighting Maroons clawed their way back to three behind Louna Ozar, Alexandra Mendoza, and Kaye Pesquerra before the Blue Eagles responded with eight unanswered points to seal the game.

The Blue Eagles got their act together by scoring eight unanswered points to keep the Fighting Maroons at bay 71-60.

“A win is a win. We try to focus on what we can control. For us, the target is to win three of the last four, and we got two wins now. Hopefully, we can start getting a little bit of momentum,” Ateneo coach LA Mumar said. “We were terrible today; I’m happy with the win, don’t get me wrong, but hopefully we can polish some things moving forward.”

“We’re very fortunate to win the game. You have to credit UP, they came up with a great game plan against us. They really prepared for us. They really triggered our weaknesses, so we have to learn from this,” he added.

Season 86 Mythical Five member Junize Calago delivered 14 points, four rebounds, four assists, and one block but committed 10 turnovers. Kai Oani chipped in nine points, six assists, and two rebounds, while Gracie Batongbakal added eight points on 3-of-5 shooting to go along with six rebounds and an assist.

UP dropped to a 3-7 record in fifth place with Pesquerra leading the way with 17 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Ozar tallied 16 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and four steals, while  Shanina Tapawan scored 10 points on 66.7 percent shooting on top of four rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

READ: UAAP: UST Tigresses, Ateneo score blowout wins

Adamson’s Cris Padilla in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament.–UAAP PHOTO

Ateneo’s victory also propelled Adamson to its first women’s basketball Final Four in five years. The Lady Falcons took care of business in the first game after dominating hapless University of the East, 66-48.

The Lady Falcons are returning to the Final Four for the first time since Season 82 in 2019 after winning three straight games in the second round for the No. 3 seed with an 8-3 record behind last year’s finalists National University (9-0) and University of Santo Tomas (9-1).

“The school will remember you with the legacy you are going to leave. They care about who you are, but it’s about the legacy you’re gonna leave when you leave Adamson,” Adamson coach Ryan Monteclaro said. “I know 10 years or 15 years from now, they’re gonna look at themselves that we made it despite going to the season ranked seventh or eighth.”

Cris Padilla, the inaugural UAAP girls’ basketball MVP, played her best game of the season yet with 17 points on 4-of-7 from the three-point line. Elaine Etang chipped in 12 points, seven assists, four rebounds, and one steal, while Cheska Apag added nine points, five rebounds, three assists, and a steal.

“To be honest, I’m not really impressed with how we played today. For a team trying to get to that level, you always try to challenge your team. I’m not taking away the fact that UE has a good program, but again, we are looking for the position to get into the Final Four,” Monteclaro said.

Kamba Kone’s double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds went for naught as the Lady Warriors slid to a 1-9 record after their sixth straight defeat.

The Scores:

First Game:

AdU (66) – Padilla 17, Etang 12, Apag 9, Adeshina 7, E. Alaba 5, Limbago 5, Ornopia 4, Mazo 3, Meniano 2, Agojo 2, Bajo 0, Manlimos 0, A. Alaba 0, Cortez 0, Delos Santos 0, Trabado 0.

UE (48) – Kone 18, Ganade 10, Lacayanga 8, Vacalares 4, Lumibao 4, Buscar 2, Yanez 2, Guillim 0, Cruz 0, Ronquillo 0.

Quarterscores: 19-8, 31-24, 49-37, 66-48

Second Game:

Ateneo (75) – Dela Rosa 28, Calago 14, Oani 9, Batongbakal 8, Makanjoula 8, Villacruz 8, Villacruz 3, Cancio 3, Aquirre 2, Eufemiano 0, Angala 0, Cruza 0.

UP (66) – Pesquera 17, Ozar 16, Tapawan 10, Bariquit 8, Maw 6, Mendoza 5, Sauz 2, Vingno 2, Nolasco 0, Lozada 0, Jimenez 0, Solitario 0.

Quarterscores: 20-14, 32-31, 47-46, 75-66.