Ateneo center Kacey Dela Rosa has seen a tremendous growth even as she was already at the top of her game a year ago.
The growth didn’t stop for Ateneo’s Kacey Dela Rosa even as she won her first UAAP MVP in Season 86, continuing to up the ante with a dominant showing just last year, when she helped the Ateneo Blue Eagles to another Final Four finish.
Dela Rosa was named the Collegiate Women’s Basketball Player of the Year earlier this week by the Collegiate Press Corps, recognizing her development even after an MVP year.
According to her, experience with the national team and bigger and better competition was key to her development.
Being among the best in the league, it was difficult to challenge herself and continue growth.
But faced with stiffer opposition in international tournaments, Dela Rosa was forced to face the music which in turn made her to an even more dominant player in the collegiate level.
“Nakahelp din sa akin yung pagsali ko sa Gilas, pagpunta sa iba ibang country,” Dela Rosa said.
She also had the privilege of playing with teammates who had more experience than her — like five-time UAAP champion Jack Animam, who has also seen action in overseas leagues in Europe.
“Malaking improvement for me na makalaro din sila Ate Jack, 'yung mga senior ko, sa Gilas na tulungan nila ako mag-grow as a person and lalo na inside the court,” she said.
While Dela Rosa already has multiple accolades to herself, including the two MVPs and the Player of the Year citation, she believes there is still a big gap in her resume — that is, the UAAP championship.
After years of finishing in the semifinals, Dela Rosa believes that the time is now for the Blue Eagles.
“Ngayon, confident kami sa lineup namin. So sana makuha namin yung goal namin na di namin nakuha last year and the last seasons,” she said.
Dela Rosa was also in the Collegiate Women’s Basketball Mythical Five for the second year in a row. There, she was joined by UST’s Kent Pastrana, NU’s Cielo Pagdulagan, UP’s Louna Ozar, and Adamson’s Elaine Etang.