Ateneo qualified for the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, with Kacey Dela Rosa winning the MVP twice. Can Season 88 be the year the Blue Eagles finally snap their 17-year UAAP title drought?
The Ateneo Blue Eagles will open their UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball campaign against the UE Lady Warriors on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 12:00 p.m. at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena.
All eyes will be on back-to-back MVP Kacey Dela Rosa, who continues to anchor the Blue Eagles’ hunt for a first title since 2008.
[ALSO READ: Ateneo reveals hefty goals for two-time UAAP MVP Kacey Dela Rosa — ‘WNBA, or even Europe’]
She became just the fifth player in league history to win consecutive MVP awards, joining Ateneo’s Cassy Tioseco, Adamson’s Analyn Almazan, NU’s Afril Bernardino, and UST’s Grace Irebu.
Dela Rosa averaged 22.1 points, 16 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 3.7 blocks in Season 87, and is returning with other core members Sarah Makanjuola, a Mythical Five member last season, along with Sandra Villacruz, Gracie Batongbakal, and Kai Oani.
Ateneo also added rookies Erica de Luna, Camille Malagar, and Hannah Lopez, boosting the roster under head coach LA Mumar.
The Blue Eagles finished last season with an 8-6 record, earning the no. 4 playoff seed before falling to Adamson Lady Falcons in the first round of the stepladder semis.
(With reports from Pao Ambat)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]