The Ateneo Blue Eagles are eager to help prized star Kacey Dela Rosa reach heights beyond the UAAP.
Kacey Dela Rosa has firmly established her name local collegiate women’s basketball, having proven herself as objectively the best player in the UAAP with back-to-back MVP awards for the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
But Dela Rosa has only scratched the surface, according to her head coach LA Mumar.
Despite already being individually decorated and possessing national team experience, Mumar and the rest of the Blue Eagles are continuing to push their superstar to the next level.
Now a veteran, Kacey Dela Rosa is seeking more dominance in UAAP women’s basketball. | Photo: RM Chua / One Sports
“We really expect her to be more dominant if that could be possible,” Mumar told One Sports as Ateneo looks ahead to UAAP Season 88.
A nightmare to guard in the paint, Dela Rosa has since been working on her outside shot as well — which she showcased with Gilas Pilipinas Women, and during the offseason with the Blue Eagles.
Performing beyond her competitors in the Philippines, Mumar said that a talent like Dela Rosa must not be be confined to collegiate hoops.
With loftier goals in mind, Ateneo is hoping to work with Kacey until her full potential is realized.
“The vision that we have for Kacey is not just in the Philippines. When we got this talent, we wanted to nurture her to play in the WNBA, or even in Europe so we really have to develop [her],” said Mumar.
“We have a game plan that she will be shooting from the outside. You’ve seen that a little bit and hopefully mag tuloy-tuloy si Kacey.”
Aside from being two-time UAAP MVP, Dela Rosa was also named the Collegiate Press Corps Women’s Basketball Player of the Year for the past season.
Left wanting more
Despite her perceived dominance, Dela Rosa herself isn’t one to get complacent.
With her short-term goal of giving Ateneo the championship still elusive after three years in Katipunan, Dela Rosa said that she's not short for reasons to keep working on her game, even as she individually stands atop the UAAP.
“Mino-motivate ko yung self ko na parang iniisip ko na marami pa akong kulang. Marami pa akong need i-improve kaya mas nagpupursigi ako mag-training, and para din makuha yung championship,” she said.
Expecting to have more offensive options in her teammates in Season 88, Dela Rosa is eager to make the most out of her renewed vigor and lead her team to the victory.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles will have more offensive options to support two-time UAAP MVP Kacey Dela Rosa. | Photo: RM Chua / One Sports
“Siguro mas makaka-help yung [teammates ko] sakin mas makaupo sa bench, and para pag-sub sakin ni coach fresh pa rin ako and malaki parin yung matutulong ko sa loob ng court,” said Dela Rosa.
“Pag may mga di sila nag-gets na plays, syempre, sabihin ko sa kanila na lapit lang sila sakin. They can ask naman and I’m here lang always for them.”
But before anything else, Dela Rosa will be seeing action for the national team in the upcoming FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup in China. There, she joins Adamson’s Cheska Apag, Elaine Etang, and NU’s Kristine Cayabyab.
—
Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.