Ateneo wins fourth straight, anchors UE to cellar

c/o UAAP

JHS Games on Sunday at the Filoil Ecooil Centre

10 a.m. - ADU vs UE

12 p.m. - UP vs FEU

2 p.m. - NU vs DLSZ

4 p.m. - Ateneo vs UST

FINAL FOUR-bound Ateneo de Manila University fought off the tough challenge by also-ran University of the East, taking a 64-54 win in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Saturday morning. 

It was the Blue Eagles’ fourth-straight victory, allowing them to improve to 8-5, still at fourth but are only half a game behind the Adamson Lady Falcons (8-4) who will face the UST Growling Tigresses later in the day. 

“I’m happy we won the game but also not contented heading to the Final Four. We told the girls we take it day by day hoping that every game would help us improve going to the Final Four,” said Ateneo assistant coach Bacon Austria. 

Four straight points by Rachel Lacayanga pulled the Lady Warriors within five, 44-49, with 7:46 remaining in the fourth quarter. 

However, the Blue Eagles’ twin towers Kacey Dela Rosa and Sarah Makanjuola took charge for their strong finish, conniving for an 11-2 run that established a 60-46 lead with 4:34 left in the match. 

Dela Rosa notched her 13th double-double of the season with 19 points and 14 rebounds while also tallying five blocks and four steals. 

Nigerian center Makanjuola finished with 14 points and 17 rebounds, while Sandra Villacruz and Nicole Aguirre stepped up with 12 and 11 points, respectively. 

Ateneo played without starting guard Junize Calago, who served her one-game suspension Saturday due to an accumulation of unsportsmanlike fouls. She was averaging 12.23 points, 6.67 rebounds, 5.0 asists, and 1.92 steals. 

The Blue Eagles’ final game in the eliminations will be against the Lady Falcons next Saturday, still at the San Juan arena. 

The Lady Warriors skidded to their ninth straight loss, falling to 1-12. They will face the UP Fighting Maroons in their season-closer next Saturday as well. 

Lacayanga led UE’s fight with 21 points on 24 shots along with nine rebounds and five steals. Jearzy Ganade chipped in 12 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. 

The Scores: 

Ateneo 64 - Dela Rosa 19, Makanjuola 14, Villacruz 12, Aguirre 11, Oani 4, Batongbakal 2, Cancio 2, Angala 0, Lopez 0, Nieves 0, Eufemiano 0. 

UE 54 - Lacayanga 21, Ganade 12, Kone 8, Ronquillo 6, Dalguntas 3, Buscar 2, Vacalares 2, Yanez 0, Cruz 0. 

Quarterscores: 22-19, 38-26, 47-40, 64-54.