Ateneo de Manila University star Kacey Dela Rosa in UAAP Season 88. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — Ateneo de Manila University has finally overcome Adamson University to advance to the UAAP women’s basketball stepladder semifinals, avenging their loss from a year ago, and leading the Blue Eagles anew was Kacey Dela Rosa.
The two-time MVP willed her way en route to 17 points, 20 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal as they eliminated the Lady Falcons through a 66-56 in their Season 88 stepladder clash on Sunday.
READ: Ateneo Women eliminate Adamson, set up semis clash vs. National U
But while it was Dela Rosa who stood tall above everyone else anew, Blue Eagles coach LA Mumar said that this victory signals a new phase for Ateneo women’s basketball.
“We’re not Taylor Swift and the band, we’re Blackpink,” he said. “It’s not just the Kacey show. We’re not Kacey and the band anymore, we’re legit Ateneo Blue Eagles.”
Mumar said that this has been their mantra even before this season started, and Dela Rosa was all hands on deck with their approach.
“Nung start ng season, credit to this girl, sabi ko: ‘Kace baka hindi ka mag MVP ha kasi medyo marami tayo, mas loaded tayo. Your stats might suffer a bit.’ Sagot niya: ’Coach, no problem,’” shared Mumar.
With the likes of Kai Oani, Sarah Makanjuola, Kate Cancio, and other stars stepping up, the Blue Eagles zoomed to the third seed with eight wins in 14 games.
And while these eventually resulted in Dela Rosa missing out on what could have been her third straight MVP, with National University’s Ann Pingol claiming the plum, there were no problems for the 6-foot, Gilas Pilipinas star.
“No ego. This MVP has no ego,” emphasized Mumar. “Write that down. Team player, hindi nagreklamo, she just wants to win. And I think it speaks of her character, really just saying na: ‘I don’t care about the MVP, it’s really about team first.’”
Incidentally, it is Pingol and the Lady Bulldogs who stand in the way of Ateneo and the women’s basketball Finals, as they will clash on Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., in the stepladder semis.
This could be a chance for Dela Rosa to prove herself against National U, but it is still team success that she values most.
“Ang gusto ko mapatunayan, na hindi lang sila yung makapag-compete sa ganung level. Kami din,” she said.
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