Simply amazing! That would describe the conquest by the Ateneo Lady Eagles of the UP Lady Maroons in their final matchup for the Women’s basketball crown of UAAP Season 70. With the 62-58 win over the Lady Maroons, the Lady Eagles, mentored by John Flores, clinched their second UAAP crown in three years.
Bringing with them the confidence brought about by their 64-60 win in Game 1 of the finals, the Lady Eagles went into Game 2 ready and focused on the goal of ending the series and not giving the Lady Maroons an opportunity to extend the series to a third game. That goal did not come easily for the Lady Eagles as they faced the gritty Lady Maroons who led at halftime, 23-20, and at the end of the third, 45-39.
The Lady Maroons finally got the needed points from their primary scorers, Fats Tolentino, Sil Marasigan, Anna Asistio and Sai Sadora, which were missed in all their three previous meetings with the Lady Eagles. The scorers enabled UP to dictate the tempo for most of the game. The Lady Eagles felt as if they were playing against different UP team and even saw the Lady Maroons going up by as much as 11 points midway into the third quarter.
Even with the renewed confidence of the Lady Maroons, the Lady Eagles refused to fold and accept the option of going into a Game 3 and getting the job done there. The Lady Eagles pulled off what could be described as a truly amazing effort and a show of character as they slowly worked their way into UP’s lead. Back-to-back baskets by rookie Crystal Ballentyne at the start of the fourth quarter trimmed the lead of UP to just two points, 45-43. But even with the Lady Eagles trimming the lead, UP still managed to control the situation on the offensive efforts of its primary scorer Sai Sadora, but it was already clear that UP’s confidence was waning and the Lady Eagles’, soaring.
The Lady Eagles' confidence stunned the Lady Maroons in the last three minutes of the game as Ateneo’s tri-captains Che Ngo, Cassy Tioseco and Kat Quimpo and the speedy Treena Limgenco buckled down to work in offense and defense. Hustle plays from Cassy Tioseco (12 points 13 rebounds), Kat Quimpo and Treena Limgenco resulted in steals and defensive stops for Ateneo that clearly dazed the Lady Maroons. Free throws awarded to Kat Quimpo in the last two minutes of play and a Treena Limgenco steal and layup gave Ateneo a slim lead but it clearly brought down the Lady Maroons who were not able to recover from the three-minute blitz of the Lady Eagles
It was a fitting finale to a truly amazing season for the Lady Eagles as they dominated the Lady Maroons all season. Coach John Flores gave credit to the fighting hearts of the Lady Eagles by saying that, in the last three minutes, it was not about what the Lady Eagles know of the X’s and O’s of the game but the character and heart needed to justify what they have worked and strived for all season long. To make his point, he turned around to show what was printed on his shirt, “Pusong Atenista”… simply amazing.
Box scores:
ADMU 62:
Limgenco 16, Tioseco 12, Quimpo 10, Barracoso 10, Ballentyne 8, Ngo 4, Mercado 2,
UP 58:
Tolentino 14, Sadora 12, Asistio 12, Marasigan 10, Tomelden 6, Molina 2, Bautista 2, Paz 0, Cainglet 0.
Scoring by quarters:
9-9, 20-23, 39-45, Final 62-58
Sidelights:
Seconds before the game ended, championship t-shirts were already being given away to team members, staff and supporters. The front reads “Ateneo Lady Eagles UAAP Champions Season 70.” At the back, a big letter A is formed with the words “For the greater glory of God” and the names of the players and staff.
High emotion was seen throughout the game, especially after the final buzzer sounded. The Blue and White faithful jumped in jubilation while players, staff and supporters cried tears of joy.
After the game, the Lady Eagles headed straight to the Church of the Gesù inside the Ateneo campus for the Thanksgiving Mass officiated by Fr. Bienvenido F. Nebres, SJ. The Mass was followed by a simple dinner for the members of the team, staff, alumni, family and friends.
Plans are being made for a bigger celebration of the Lady Eagles’ victory in the UAAP.
Story by Benjamin Jose A. Sipin III
