UAAP Season 87 women's basketball MVP Kacey dela Rosa. UAAP MediaMANILA, Philippines – UAAP Season 87 women's basketball Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kacey dela Rosa said Saturday that she's still far from the player she wanted to be, especially when it comes to taking charge as a leader of the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
At the conclusion of their campaign, Dela Rosa said she still has a lot to improve on, emphasizing the need for growth after Ateneo suffered a first-round exit in the stepladder semifinals.
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The Katipunan-based cagers fell to Adamson University in overtime, 53-59, at the Araneta Coliseum, failing to earn the right to face University of Santo Tomas (UST).
"Malayo pa, marami pa akong need pagtrabahuhan gaya nung mga decision-making ko and pag-lead nung team," Dela Rosa said.
READ: UAAP: Ateneo's Kacey dela Rosa secures back-to-back MVP awards
Dela Rosa secured back-to-back MVP plums in the collegiate league after dominating during the elimination round with averages of 22.1 points, 16.0 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game to collect a whopping 96.286 statistical points (SPs), mounting a vast lead from runner-up Kent Pastrana of UST, who tallied 79.857 SPs.
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The Gilas Pilipinas center said she was happy with the individual feat, but it wasn't her goal to win the MVP, asserting that she's "looking at the big picture."
Ateneo has yet to win a championship in women's basketball since 2008. They also failed to enter the Finals last season after losing to National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs in their Final Four matchup.
"Happy [sa MVP award], pero sad at the same time kasi 'di naman 'yun 'yung goal ko, for me ha. Mas naglu-look ako doon sa bigger picture, 'di lang doon sa individual awards," the 6-foot tower said.
Moving on from this heartbreak will be one of the priorities of Dela Rosa and the rest of the Blue Eagles.
"It is what it is, so babawi na lang kami next season," said Dela Rosa.
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