Ateneo de Manila University star and UAAP Season 87 women’s MVP Kacey Dela Rosa. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — Ateneo de Manila University star Kacey Dela Rosa is UAAP women’s basketball’s best player for the back-to-back years.
The 6-foot, 20-year-old main ace of the Blue Eagles received her second-straight league Most Valuable Player (MVP) plum on Wednesday after she steered the Katipunan-based to the Final 4 anew.
However, the Season 87 Mythical Team member downplayed her feat, saying that what matters most is helping Ateneo reach newer heights especially next season wherein she will already be playing her third year in the league.
“Happy pero sad at the same time kasi 'di naman yun yung goal ko,” said Dela Rosa, who earned 96.286 statistical points (SPs) after pulling 22.1 points, 16 rebounds, and 2.3 rejections for the Blue Eagles.
“Mas naglo-look ako doon sa bigger picture, 'di lang doon sa individual awards. It is what it is, so babawi na lang kami next season,” she added of her team which previously was ousted by Adamson University in the stepladder Final.
Meanwhile, joining Dela Rosa in the Mythical Team are University of Santo Tomas’ (UST) Kent Pastrana (79.857 SPs), the University of the Philippines’ (UP) Louna Ouzar (67.571 SPs), Ateneo’s Sarah Makanjuola (65.786 SPs), and National University’s Angel Surada (62.0 SPs).
National University young ace and UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball Rookie of the Year Cielo Pagdulagan. Photo from UAAP Media.On the other hand, the NU Lady Bulldogs' Cielo Pagdulagan is the Season 87 Rookie of the Year.
Pagdulagan, who hit the game-winning basket in National U’s Finals Game 1 win last Sunday, tallied 9.9 markers, 7.1 boards, 2.0 dimes, and 1.3 steals in his first year in the league, making her statistically finish above all rookies with 56.571 SPs.
She is now looking to contribute once more as the Lady Bulldogs seek to end their championship clash with the Golden Tigresses on Tuesday and complete their redemption arc against UST by regaining the women’s hoops title.