The Ateneo Blue Eagles handed the FEU Lady Tamaraws their first loss of the UAAP Season 89 Women’s Basketball Tournament, 88-66, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Blue Eagles have now won two straight after opening the season with back-to-back defeats and are alone in fourth place. The Lady Tamaraws fell to 2-1 and are now tied for second with the NU Bulldogs.
Ateneo Seizes Control
Ateneo took control early and outscored FEU, 25-16, in the opening quarter. The Blue Eagles pushed the lead to as many as 12 points in the second period, while the Lady Tamaraws went just 1-of-15 from beyond the arc in the first half. Ateneo kept rolling after the break and led by 19 points heading into the final quarter.
FEU’s troubles carried into the fourth. Victoria Pasilang fouled out with less than four minutes left as the Blue Eagles built an 85-60 lead.
“Well, ‘yung main priority ko after ‘yung 0-2 start namin was their confidence. I kept reminding them na start pa lang ng season, and we had top teams in front of us in our first two games,” said Ateneo head coach PJ Navarro. “Kailangan na ‘yung mindset namin next couple of games is mas focused kami.”
Kacey Dela Rosa Proves Unstoppable
Kacey Dela Rosa led all scorers with 25 points and 16 rebounds, along with 6 steals and 2 blocks. Seng Calago posted a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Alyssa Rodriguez added 10 points.
For FEU, Amyah Español scored 19 points, and Victoria Pasilang had 14. Shane Salvani added 11 points.
Ateneo will next face the defending champion UST Growling Tigresses on Saturday, October 17, 12:00 p.m. at the Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila. Meanwhile, FEU will also face the undefeated Growling Tigresses on Wednesday, October 14, 10:00 a.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
