Ateneo de Manila University ended the first round of the UAAP Season 85 Women’s Basketball Tournament with a 73-62 win over University of the East in the Ynares Sports Center here.
Jhazmin Joson led the Blue Eagles with an all-around performance with 20 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, three steals, and one block.
Ateneo Nigerian student-athlete Sarah Makanjuola also fashioned a complete line with 17 points, 21 rebounds, and seven blocks.
“I wanna give kudos to coach Ai (Lebornio). She really came up with a good game plan against us,” said Ateneo coach LA Mumar. “I think this was (UE’s) best game in the UAAP. That team is well-coached so all kudos to them.
“Winless nga yung UE so we were in a rush. We were nanggigil. Finally, nung last five minutes, we were able to settle down and create some space,” the first-year Blue Eagles head coach continued.
Holding a narrow 53-50 lead with 8:37 remaining in the ballgame, Ateneo executed an 18-5 run capped off by Sandra Villacruz’s basket off a Jhazmin Joson assist to lead 71-55 with 2:06 left and seal the victory.
The result means that Ateneo finishes the first round with a 4-3 record that locks them in solo fourth while UE is in last place with a 0-7 record.
LJ Miranda and Sandra Villacruz contributed 14 and 13 points respectively to the Blue Eagles’ cause while Ylyssa Eufemiano got 11 rebounds as Kacey Dela Rosa missed her second straight game.
The Katipunan school seized 68 rebounds and had 38 points in the paint. In contrast, UE had 49 and 18 in the same categories.
Joyce Terrinal led the Lady Warriors with 14 points followed by Pauline Anastacio’s 11. Kamba Kone had 10 points and 10 rebounds while Jenkins Nama had 12 rebounds.