UAAP women’s basketball: Ateneo clinches Final Four berth

Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament game against FEU Lady Tamaraws. –UAAP PHOTO

Ateneo completed the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball Final Four cast after eliminating Far Eastern University, 85-70, on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With their third consecutive victory, the Blue Eagles improved to 7-5 and extinguished the Final Four hopes of the Lady Tamaraws, La Salle, and Univeristy of the Philippines.

Ateneo, which booked its third straight Final Four appearance, also remains in the hunt for the third seed behind Adamson Lady Falcons, who are 8-3.

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

“Our girls are competitive enough. We want to build momentum heading into the Final Four. Hindi mo naman masasabi pa if Final Four or stepladder, but we just want to stay ready to any scenario,” Ateneo head coach La Mumar said.

Reigning MVP Kacey Dela Rosa and rookie Kai Oani were pivotal in Ateneo’s 20-8 second-quarter run that blew the game wide open. They led by as much as 27 in the fourth quarter, 83-56, after buckets from Yunika Angala and Aly Eufemiano.

“That will be the theme of our season. Our twin towers have been very consistent so it’s a lot of the guards, wings, and our backup bigs, we need everyone to step up and do their role. They need to be a star in their role,” Mumar added.

READ: UAAP: NU beats UST, Adamson stuns Ateneo in women’s basketball

Dela Rosa tallied her 12th consecutive double-double with 24 points and 18 rebounds to go along with three assists, two blocks, and one steal, while Nigerian center Sarah Makanjoula also shined with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting with 11 rebounds and one block.

Shane Salvani paced the Lady Tamaraws in the losing effort with a game-high 29 points, seven steals, six rebounds, and six assists, while EJ Lopez chipped in 10 points, two rebounds, and one assist.

The Scores:

Ateneo (85) – Dela Rosa 24, Makanjoula 21, Oani 14, Calago 8, Eufemiano 7, Angala 6, Cancio 2, Aguirre 2, Batongbakal 1, Villacruz 0, Cruza 0, Olivenza 0, Fetalvero 0.

FEU (70) – Salvani 29, Lopez 10, Manguiat 9, Villanueva 7, Pasilang 6, Gavaran 3, Nagma 2, Ong 2, Paras 2, Dela Torre 0.

Quarterscores: 17-14, 37-27, 62-46, 85-70