The Ateneo Blue Eagles are back on track in the UAAP Season 88 women's basketball tournament, ending the first round with a tough win over FEU.
Ateneo de Manila University overcame a late Far Eastern University surge to secure an 84-77 victory, halting a two-game slide and closing the first round of the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Coming off consecutive losses to defending champions National University Lady Bulldogs and league leaders University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses, the Blue Eagles found their rhythm at just the right moment.
Clutch performances from Gracie Batongbakal, Camille Malagar, and reigning two-time MVP Kacey dela Rosa helped Ateneo solidify its hold on solo third place with a 5-2 record.
With a balanced effort across the roster, Ateneo also built a two-game cushion over FEU and De La Salle University, both of whom ended the first round with identical 3-4 records.
“We were just so happy that we hit our shots in the end. Team effort talaga ito, which we already talked about for this coming season. I think the reason why we are 5-2 and we are in the top three is because we’re not ‘Kacey-centric’ — we are a solid team with legit players,” Blue Eagles head coach LA Mumar said.
Ateneo entered the fourth quarter with a comfortable 12-point lead at 68-56, but FEU launched a clutch 11-3 run, capped by back-to-back Victoria Pasilang layups, to cut the deficit to four at 71-67 with 3:50 left.
The Blue Eagles, however, held firm. Consecutive triples from Batongbakal and Malagar, an inside basket from dela Rosa, and two free throws by Kate Cancio restored a nine-point lead at 81-74 with 1:39 remaining.
Shem Abatayo hit a triple to trim the lead to six, but clutch free throws from Cancio and dela Rosa in the final minute sealed the win, giving Ateneo its fifth victory in seven games.
Despite the morale-boosting result, Ateneo’s win was marred by the ejection of Nigerian center Sarah Makanjoula, who committed two unsportsmanlike category 2 fouls at the 5:58 mark of the third quarter and at 8:53 of the fourth quarter.
Malagar led six Blue Eagles in double figures with 17 points, four rebounds, four assists, and a steal, while dela Rosa recorded a dominant double-double with 14 points and 19 rebounds.
Cancio added 14 points on an efficient 5-of-7 shooting clip, Kai Oani also scored 14 points, and Batongbakal and Sandra Villacruz contributed 10 points each.
For FEU, Abatayo managed 19 points on 5-of-22 shooting but added seven rebounds, five assists, and five steals, while Gilas Pilipinas Women pool member Yvette Villanueva tallied 13 points, four rebounds, two steals, and one assist.
Both teams will open the second round on Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
Ateneo will face NU at 11:30 a.m., seeking revenge, while FEU aims for redemption against a slumping University of the Philippines at 7 p.m. to close the day’s six-game slate.
The Scores:
Ateneo (84) - Malagar 17, Dela Rosa 14, Cancio 14, Oani 14, Batongbakal 10, Villacruz 10, De Luna 5, Lopez 0, Makanjoula 0.
FEU (77) - Abatayo 19, Villanueva 13, Patio 12, Pasilang 9, Lopez 9, Espanol 8, Salvani 5, Dela Torre 2, Garavan 0, Nagma 0, Manguiat 0.
Quarterscores: 22-21, 43-39, 68-56, 84-77.