Kacey Dela Rosa eyes 5-on-5 crown in final Ateneo run

Ateneo de Manila University appeared to be under a frustrating spell during her first three years, with the Blue Eagles falling short of a podium finish and settling for fourth place in all three seasons.

Season 88, however, marked a turning point. Dela Rosa helped lead Ateneo back to the podium. The team secured the bronze medal after defeating Adamson University in the first phase of the stepladder, 66-56, before narrowly missing a finals berth in a 66-67 loss to National University.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

With the Blue Eagles trending upward, Dela Rosa vowed to make her final year count.

“Yeah, I think tatapusin ko yung last playing year ko sa Ateneo, and sana makuha namin yung championship,” said Dela Rosa on Sunday during the UAAP women’s 3×3 tournament, where they also clinched bronze.

Sandra Villacruz and Gracie Batongbakal were the only departures from the Season 88 lineup that delivered Ateneo’s first podium finish since Season 78.

Nigerian center Sarah Makanjuola will continue to anchor the paint alongside Dela Rosa, while Kai Oani, Erica De Luna, and Camille Malagar are expected to lead the backcourt.

“I think yung relationship din namin sa loob ng team, and yun, parang gusto ko ibigay yung lahat sa Ateneo, kasi yung last playing year ko, gusto ko naman umalis nang may gold,” said Dela Rosa, who was also part of the Blue Eagles quartet that won gold in the Season 87 3×3 tournament.