SPORTS

‘Shaq, Kobe’ power Blue Eagles

Mark Escarlote

Jhazmin Joson dropped a triple-double while rookie Kacey de la Rosa posted monster numbers in Ateneo de Manila University's 67-61 victory over University of the Philippines in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines Season 85 women's basketball tournament Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Blue Eagles arrested a three-game skid to improve to a 2-3 win-loss record with Joson, who iced the game from the stripe, and De la Rosa providing the highlights.

Joson registered 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, making her the first player to achieve the feat after Ria Nabalan of National University filled the stats sheet with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the Lady Bulldogs' 76-56 win over Far Eastern University on 18 October 2017.

De la Rosa, a freshman out of Chiang Kai Shek High School, unleashed a double-double of 30 points and 20 rebounds to go with seven blocks.

Her statline eclipsed multiple season-highs as she surpassed Adamson University's Dindy Medina's 29 points against University of Santo Tomas last 1 October, overtook De La Salle University's Fina Niantcho and University of the East's Kamba Kone's 19-rebound efforts last 5 October.

De la Rosa also reset her personal-best six blocks she posted last 1 October against FEU.

"We really expect a lot from Shaq and Kobe. That's what I call them (De la Rosa and Joson)," Ateneo head coach LA Mumar said.

In the first game, University of Santo Tomas has a 63-point demolition of UE, 107-44, for a 4-1 win-loss card to forge a tie with La Salle at second.

Tacky Tacatac listed 27 points, four rebounds, and three steals under her name to lead the Tigresses.

The Lady Warriors remained winless in five games.

De la Rosa scored nine in the 11-5 run of Ateneo in the fourth frame that gave the Blue Eagles a 64-55 lead with 1:07 left.

The Fighting Maroons fought back within five, 59-64, with 37.1 seconds to go, but De la Rosa and Jhazmin Joson iced the game from the stripe.

Sandra Villacruz got 12 points and 10 rebounds for Ateneo, which tied UP and Adamson University at the fourth spot.

Kaye Pesquera led the Fighting Maroons with 16 points while Bariquit got 13 points and 10 rebounds.