College scribes honor ‘Fab Five’

The Philippines has enjoyed its lofty status as one of Asia’s best in women’s basketball, thanks to the thriving collegiate scene for the steady supply of talented players.

Kacey Dela Rosa, Cielo Pagdulagan, Kent Pastrana, Elaine Etang and Louna Ozar are elevating the level of play in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), making them the true guardians of the women’s basketball program who could soon be the poster girls of Gilas Pilipinas Women in international competitions.

For their impressive contributions, the elite cagers will be feted as the Collegiate Women’s Basketball Mythical Team in the 2025 San Miguel Corporation-Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night at the Discovery Suites Manila in Ortigas Center this Monday.

Bannering the “Fab Five” is Ateneo de Manila University’s Dela Rosa, who’s also this year’s Women’s Basketball Player of the Year awardee in the ceremony presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, Pilipinas Live and GMA.

Fresh off winning back-to-back UAAP Most Valuable Player (MVP) plums, the 21-year-old Dela Rosa showcased her brilliance in 3x3 basketball where she anchored the Blue Eagles to a breakthrough title victory over Far Eastern University.

The 6-foot Dela Rosa stood out in the 5-on-5 tournament where she normed 22.1 points, 16.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 3.7 blocks per contest for the Blue Eagles to snare the best individual award.