WINGS OF THE EAGLES
For a team built around a standout duo down low, Ateneo knows its success in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament lies in making each player embrace their importance.
“We need everyone to step up and do their role,” said Blue Eagles coach LA Mumar. “They need to be a star in their role.”
For the Eagles, two roles already have been filled by established stars.
To secure their place in the Final Four, the Blue Eagles forged an 85-70 victory over the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws behind their “twin towers”—reigning MVP Kacey Dela Rosa and Nigerian center Sarah Makanjoula.
Double-double machine
The duo once again dominated the stat sheet for Ateneo. But Mumar insists the rest of the players have to step up.
“That will be the theme of our season,” Mumar said. “Our twin towers have been very consistent, so it’s a lot of [stepping up on the part of our] guards, wings and our backup bigs.
Dela Rosa and Makanjoula have provided Ateneo with a formidable presence in the paint all season, and Saturday’s game was no exception.
Dela Rosa notched her 12th consecutive double-double with 24 points and 18 rebounds, adding three assists, two blocks and a steal. Makanjoula contributed 21 points on 72.7 percent shooting and pulled down 11 rebounds.
Their presence not only anchors the defense but also opens up opportunities for the entire team. With the twin towers drawing defenders into the paint, Ateneo’s guards and wings are given the freedom to find open shots and create plays. This inside-out dynamic has become the hallmark of the Blue Eagles’ season.
Against FEU, guards like rookie Kai Oani, who scored 14 points, and Yunika Angala, who sank key three-pointers, played pivotal roles. Junize Calago, the do-it-all forward, added eight points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Too overwhelming
“Our girls are competitive enough. We want to build momentum heading into the Final Four,” Mumar said. “We still can’t tell if it’s going to be a Final Four or stepladder format, but we just want to stay ready for any scenario.”
The team’s rebounding was another key factor, with Ateneo dominating the glass 58-32. This relentless effort on the boards yielded 35 second-chance points, compared to FEU’s seven.
Despite the loss, FEU’s Shane Salvani gave an inspiring performance, scoring a game-high 29 points along with seven steals, six rebounds and six assists. Salvani’s all-around effort kept FEU within striking distance, but Ateneo’s depth and inside presence ultimately proved too overwhelming.
With a 7-5 (win-loss) record, Ateneo now eyes the third seed in the Final Four, trailing only 1.5 games behind Adamson.
And if the Eagles want to cover that ground, they certainly would need a lot of firepower to help out their twin towers.
