The Ateneo Blue Eagles needed not just points, but leadership, from Kacey Dela Rosa and Sarah Makanjoula in their opening game against UE for UAAP Season 88.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles continue to lean on their "twin towers."
With two-time UAAP MVP Kacey Dela Rosa and Sarah Makanjoula dominating, Ateneo cruised to an 81-52 win over the UE Lady Warriors in UAAP Season 88 women's basketball action at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Wednesday.
But more than their offensive output, the Blue Eagles needed both Dela Rosa and Makanjoula to steady the ship, especially since they had a handful of rookies seeing UAAP action for the very first time.
Against a win-hungry UE Lady Warriors side that are beginning a new era under head coach Ian Valdez, Ateneo struggled to pull away in the opening parts of the game.
But with Dela Rosa and Makanjoula steadily finding their mark, the Blue Eagles were able to get things back on track in the second quarter — especially on defense — where they limited UE to just nine points.
“I think our girls kind of started off a bit tense. So Kacey had to bring the veteran presence, sila ni Sarah. Because our girls were a little bit hyper,” Ateneo head coach LA Mumar said.
“I guess first game jitters for most of our girls. So Kacey, the MVP, stepped up for us, sila ni Sarah.”
By halftime, Ateneo was already ahead, 45-27.
Warming up to their roles
For Dela Rosa, who finished with an eye-popping stat line of 29 points, nine rebounds, one assist, five steals, and four blocks in 28 minutes of action, it was just a matter of shaking off the nerves for her teammates.
Being the centerpiece of offense for the last two years, Dela Rosa has eased herself into the veteran role.
Now surrounded by young teammates, she’s looking at herself to lead them in the right direction, especially after getting their first game under their belt.
“Sinasabi ko lang sa kanila na, first game pa lang 'to. This is just a warm-up for them,” she said.
“And for sure, naman na mags-step up sila sa mga next games. Kasi this game, parang kinakabahan sila. And yun, gina-guide ko lang sila to play,” she added.
Makanjoula played supporting role to Kacey’s big game with a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds. She also had three steals and a block.
Katelyn Cancio added 11 markers from the bench.
UE skipper Aliyah Ronquillo paced the Lady Warriors in the losing effort with 11 points.
Ateneo returns to action against Adamson in a grudge match of last year’s stepladder semifinals, while UE will seek a bounce back against the UP Fighting Maroons.
Both matches will unfurl on Sunday, September 28, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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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.