Adamson foils Ateneo in stepladder playoff preview

c/o UAAP

Games on Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre

10 a.m. - ADU vs UP (JHS)

12 p.m. - Ateneo vs NUNS (JHS)

2 p.m. - DLSZ vs UST (JHS)

4 p.m. - UE vs FEU-D (JHS)

ADAMSON University ended Ateneo de Manila University’s four-game winning streak, 58-52, heading into their UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball stepladder battle at the Filoil EcoOil Centre, Saturday.

This game served as a warmup to the Lady Falcons and the Blue Eagles stepladder matchup for the right to face the UST Growling Tigresses in the second phase. The NU Lady Bulldogs advanced straight to the Finals after sweeping the elimination round.

“For us, this is something we can use moving forward. Getting the momentum, building more confidence, and at the same time just making the feel of playing against Ateneo because we’re aware that we’re gonna play them again after the win of NU this morning,” said Adamson head coach Ryan Monteclaro.

A strong start by Elaine Etang and Cris Padilla in the fourth quarter allowed the Lady Falcons to increase their lead to 15, 54-39, but Junize Calago, Kacey Dela Rosa, and Aly Eufemiano rallied the Blue Eagles back to within five with 1:48 left, 49-54.

However, Elaine Etang and Kem Adeshina nailed back-to-back baskets to make ti a 58-49 Adamson cushion with just 31 seconds remaining.

Adamson locked up the third seed with this win, ending the elimination round with a 9-5 record.

Monteclaro utilized all 16 players with Novie Ornopia leading the way with 10 points and five rebounds.

Etang added nine points, while Adeshina had eight points and five rebounds.

Ateneo finished the elims with an 8-6 card with the reigning MVP Dela Rosa pacing them with 15 points and 19 rebounds this game.

This made Dela Rosa as the only player to notch a double-double in each of the 14 games since Season 79 Men’s MVP Ben Mbala did so for De La Salle University.

Calago returned from her suspension and contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Sarah Makanjuola added 11 points and 12 rebounds.

The Scores:

AdU 58 - Ornopia 10, Etang 9, Adeshina 8, Apag 6, Padilla 6, A. Alaba 5, E. Alaba 5, Manlimos 3, Mazo 2, Limbago 2, Agojo 2, Meniano 0, Bajo 0, Delos Santos 0, Cortez 0, Trabado 0.

Ateneo 52 - Dela Rosa 15, Calago 13, Makanjuola 11, Villacruz 6, Oani 3, Batongbakal 2, Eufemiano 2, Cruza 0, Cancio 0, Olivenza 0, Lopez 0, Angala 0, Aguirre 0.

Quarterscores: 19-13, 33-28, 47-39, 58-52.