Ateneo overpowers FEU in women's basketball

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 87 Women’s Basketball Standings

NU 6-0 

UST 4-1

ADU 4-2

Ateneo 3-2

UP 2-3

UE 1-4

DLSU 1-5

FEU 1-5

Games Wednesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum 

8 a.m. – UST vs UP (JHS)

9:45 a.m. – UE vs Ateneo (JHS)

11:30 a.m. – UST vs UP (Women)

1:30 p.m. – UE vs Ateneo (Women)

4:30 p.m. – UST vs UP (Men)

6:30 p.m. – UE vs Ateneo (Men)

ATENEO de Manila University capitalized on a shorthanded Far Eastern University side, securing a 69-53 wire-to-wire victory to remain in the top four of the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Reigning UAAP MVP Kacey Dela Rosa was one of two Blue Eagles that tallied a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Nigerian student-athlete Sarah Makanjuola contributed 17 points and 17 rebounds.

The Lady Tamaraws, despite trailing by as many as 16 points, made a push with a 10-4 run early in the fourth quarter, cutting Ateneo’s lead to just eight, 52-44. However, the Blue Eagles quickly responded. 

A three-pointer from Gracie Batongbakal, a layup from Makanjoula, and a technical free throw by Kai Oani sparked a decisive 16-2 run, extending Ateneo’s lead to a game-high 22 points, 68-46, with less than 2:30 left on the clock.

This victory allowed Ateneo to secure solo fourth place in the standings with a 3-2 record, creating separation from their Katipunan rivals University of the Philippines, who sit at 2-3.

“We’re looking for some consistency and I expected us to be a little bit rocky in the first round… It’s a big adjustment for all of us, but I think our girls are responding well,” said Blue Eagles head coach La Mumar. “We’re an inside-out team and we feel that we can really build the team around these two girls (Dela Rosa and Makanjuola)… We’re gonna roll with that identity.”

Batongbakal chipped in nine points on an efficient 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc, while Junize Calago posted a near-double-double outing of nine points and 10 rebounds. 

Ateneo aims to keep their momentum going as they face the University of the East on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the same venue in Cubao. 

Meanwhile, Far Eastern University’s struggles continued under head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy, as they dropped to a 1-5 record, sharing the bottom spot in the standings with De La Salle University.

The Lady Tamaraws played without Congolese import Josee Kaputu, sidelined with a torn ACL in her left knee, and top scorer Shane Salvani, who was serving a one-game suspension. 

Salvani, who had been averaging 14.25 points, 5.25 rebounds, 3.75 assists, and 1.25 steals through four games, was ejected in their previous game against La Salle after committing a disqualifying foul in the final seconds, where she was caught clotheslining Luisa dela Paz during FEU's 65-89 loss.

Yvette Villanueva, who averaged 2.4 points and 4.2 rebounds before the game, stepped up for the nine-woman Lady Tamaraws in the losing effort with 18 points and nine rebounds, while MJ Manguiat struggled with 10 points on an 18.2-percent shooting clip. 

The Lady Tamaraws will seek a breakthrough win when they face reigning champion University of Santo Tomas on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The Scores:

Ateneo (69) – Dela Rosa 20, Makanjoula 17, Batongbakal 9, Calago 9, Villacruz 4, Oani 4, Cruza 3, Cancio 2, Fetalvero 1, Angala 0, Lopez 0, Eufemiano 0, Olivenza 0, Nieves 0, Salgado 0, Aquirre 0.

FEU (53) – Villanueva 18, Manguiat 10, Libor 8, Pasilang 5, Lopez 5, Ong 4, Dela Torre 3, Paras 0, Nagma 0, Gavaran 0.

Quarterscores: 18-7, 28-19, 48-34, 69-53