Ateneo star Kacey Dela Rosa in action against UE in the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament, November 16, 2024 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. UAAP Media
MANILA -- Ateneo de Manila University weathered a late charge by the University of the East for a 64-54 win in the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament, Sunday morning at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Ateneo racked up its fourth straight win to improve to 8-5 -- half a game behind the Adamson Lady Falcons (8-4) in the league standings.
As it stands, they remain in fourth place heading into the Final 4.
"I'm happy we won the game but also not content 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.
The Lady Warriors got within five points, 49-44, with still over seven minutes left thanks to four straight points by Rachel Lacayanga.
That was when Kacey dela Rosa and Sarah Makanjuola took over, as Ateneo's twin towers combined in an 11-2 run that gave them a more comfortable 60-46 lead with just under five minutes to go.
Dela Rosa finished with her 13th double-double of the season, tallying 19 points and 14 rebounds on top of 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.