Ateneo's Kacey dela Rosa in action against UP in the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament, October 30, 2024 at the Mall of Asia Arena. UAAP MediaMANILA -- Kacey dela Rosa put together another dominant performance to power Ateneo de Manila University past the University of the Philippines, 75-66, in the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament on Wednesday.
The reigning Most Valuable Player had 28 points and 19 rebounds for her 11th double-double of the tournament, while adding five blocks, two assists, and two steals.
Behind another stellar outing from dela Rosa, the Blue Eagles improved to 6-5 in the tournament, tightening their hold on the No. 4 spot in the league standings.
They now own a two-and-a-half game cushion against the Fighting Maroons, who slipped to 3-7 with four games to go in their elimination round schedule.
UP's defeat at the Mall of Asia Arena also assured the Adamson Lady Falcons a spot in the Final 4 -- the first time since Season 82 (2019) that they will make the postseason. Adamson took care of business earlier in the day against the University of the East, 66-48, to improve to 7-3.
READ: Adamson women take care of business vs UE, clinch Final 4 spot
"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," said Ateneo head coach LA Mumar.
"We were terrible today; I'm happy with the win, don't get me wrong, but hopefully we can polish some things moving forward," he added.
Kaye Pesquera gave UP a brief 48-47 lead in the fourth period before Ateneo uncorked a decisive 16-3 run that put them in control, 63-51, with 6:25 to play.
The Fighting Maroons trimmed the deficit to three points, 63-60, off three-pointers from Pesquera and Louna Ozar, but the Blue Eagles were quick to respond. Another 8-0 scoring burst pushed the lead to nine points, 71-60, and UP had no response from there.
Ateneo completed an elimination round sweep of UP in the women's division, having won the Battle of Katipunan in the first round, 79-68, last September 8.
"We're very fortunate to win the game. A win is a win. 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," said Mumar.
Season 86 Mythical Five member Junize Calago contributed 14 points, four rebounds, four assists, and one block but committed 10 turnovers, while Oani chipped in nine points, six assists, and two rebounds.
Batongbakal enjoyed an efficient outing with eight points on 3-of-5 shooting to go along with six rebounds and an assist, while Makanjoula contributed eight points, four rebounds, three blocks, one assist, and one steal.
Ateneo aims to secure its third straight victory against a struggling Far Eastern University team on Saturday, November 9, at the Araneta Coliseum.
Pesquera paced the Fighting Maroons in the losing effort with 17 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals, while Ozar tallied 16 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Shanina Tapawan scored 10 points on 66.7-percent from the field to go along with four rebounds, two assists, and one steal, while Mendoza chipped in five points, four rebounds, and two steals.
UP will fight to keep its slim Final Four hopes alive in a matchup against the undefeated National University on Sunday, November 3, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
THE SCORES:
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.