Already an established star in the collegiate ranks, Kacey dela Rosa cemented her status as a vital cog for the national women’s basketball team.

Given the daunting task of holding the fort in the absence of center Jack Animam, the Ateneo de Manila University standout stood tall and delivered a debut to remember in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

Gilas Pilipinas women’s saw the return of the gold medal to the Philippines after losing it to Indonesia in Phnom Penh two years ago.

The scoreboard inside the packed Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok after the gold medal match read: 73 for the Philippines and 70 for host Thailand.

Gilas’ redemption arc has been completed.

Dela Rosa silenced any doubts about the team’s interior strength without Animam.

For the first time since 2019, the Gilas frontline was missing its anchor.

A cornerstone of the program’s rise, Animam was unavailable due to her professional club commitments in Japan. Her absence left a massive void in both leadership and physical presence.

Dela Rosa, the back-to-back University Athletic Association of the Philippines Most Valuable Player (Season 86 and 87) and a member of the Season 88 Elite Team, knew the weight of the moment.

“Of course, at first I was really pressured. Because I know I have huge shoes to fill for Ate Jack here in Gilas,” Dela Rosa admitted.

“I just took it as a challenge. Because I need to help the team get the gold and also help them get redemption.”

Dela Rosa played with a maturity that belied her rookie status in the SEA Games, averaging a near double-double.

She turned pressure into strength, battling veterans from the opposition.

In the gold medal match against the Thais, Dela Rosa’s presence was undeniable. Her 17 points and 16 rebounds, laced with three blocks and one steal, highlighted Gilas’ collective team effort.

Dela Rosa also credited the energy in the stands for pushing them over the finish line despite being in enemy territory.

“I’m super happy to see the Filipino crowd. They really supported us even though the game was held in Thailand. We really felt their support,” she said.

“It was fun, a lot of people were watching.”

Despite her breakout performance, the young star remains grounded. When asked about her future with the national team, Dela Rosa displayed the humility that has become her trademark.

“I’m not thinking about being included in the next Gilas lineup. I know there are better players than me,” she noted.

“If I can be given a chance, I’ll just give everything that I can give. It’s my first SEA Games and I’m just happy to get the gold for my country.”