Ateneo star Kacey dela Rosa in action against Adamson in the UAAP Season 88 women's basketball tournament, September 28, 2025 at the Araneta Coliseum. UAAP Media
MANILA -- Kacey dela Rosa survived a foul-plagued game to power Ateneo de Manila University to a 70-60 win against Adamson University in the UAAP Season 88 women's basketball tournament on Sunday night.
The result at the Araneta Coliseum gave the Blue Eagles a measure of revenge, after they lost all three of their matches against the Lady Falcons last year -- including a stepladder semifinal game that ended their campaign.
"This game means a lot to us after what happened to us last year. We wanted to show to everybody that we're a different team. We could have easily folded when they tied the game," said Ateneo coach LA Mumar after his team improved to 2-0.
Dela Rosa, the reigning two-time Most Valuable Player, was saddled with four fouls in the third quarter but returned to the game at the six-minute mark of the fourth and played until the final buzzer.
She scored 11 of Ateneo's last 13 points to fend off the Lady Falcons, and finished with 24 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field, while making eight of her 10 free throw attempts. She also grabbed 19 rebounds and added two assists, two steals, and two blocks to her stat line.
Camille Malagar added 13 points, while Nigerian center Sarah Makanjuola contributed nine points and 15 rebounds.
Ateneo will next face De La Salle University on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Meanwhile, last year's third-place Lady Falcons slipped to 0-2 and will also look for their first win on Sunday against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws.
Elaine Etang led Adamson with 15 points but struggled from the field, converting only four of 17 attempts.
Cheska Apag chipped in 14 points despite suffering a hard screen collision with Sandra Villacruz early in the fourth quarter, later returning to finish the match.
The Scores:
Ateneo (70) - Dela Rosa 24, Malagar 13, Makanjuola 9, De Luna 8, Cancio 7, Oani 6, Batongbakal 3, Lopez 0, Villacruz 0.
AdU (60) - Etang 15, Epag 14, Padilla 6, Ornopia 6, Bajo 5, Meniano 4, Adeshina 4, Limbago 4, E. Alaba 2, Mazo 0, Cortez 0, Agojo 0, A. Alaba 0.
Quarterscores: 14-10, 35-31, 57-49, 70-60.