KACEY dela Rosa would not be denied, as Ateneo marched forward in the UAAP Season 88 women's basketball stepladder playoffs, taking down Adamson, 66-56, Sunday at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The two-time MVP unfurled 17 points, 20 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks, while also getting plenty of help from the rest of the Blue Eagles in staving off the resolute Lady Falcons.
Kai Oani chipped in 13 points, three boards, and two assists, Camille Malagar added 12 points and six rebounds, and Sarah Makanjuola was a point short of a double-double finishing with nine points, 16 boards, five assists, and two rejections.
"Our defense held up and that's what we talked about," said coach LA Mumar, as the blue-and-white held its foes to just 30-percent shooting from the field.
Ateneo was in complete control of the contest, dominating the boards, 56 to 30, which led to 16 offensive rebounds and 17 second chance points.
But it wasn't without its fair share of scares, all the more with the Lady Falcons knocking on its doors to get to within six, 54-48 entering the payoff period.
However, the Blue Eagles responded with an 11-0 barrage to open the final frame capped off by an Oani jumper that made it a 65-48 affair with 6:11 to play that basically spelled doom for the ladies from San Marcelino.
Up next for Ateneo is a showdown with No. 2-ranked defending champion National U on Wednesday, with the winner earning the finals date against undefeated top seed University of Santo Tomas.
Elaine Etang paced fourth-seed Adamson with 18 points, six assists, four rebounds, and three steals, while Victoria Adeshina got 10 points and nine boards in the defeat.
The Scores:
ATENEO 66 - Dela Rosa 17, Oani 13, Malagar 12, Makanjuola 9, Cancio 7, Lopez 3, Villacruz 2, De Luna 2, Batongbakal 1.
ADAMSON 56 - Etang 18, Adeshina 10, Apag 9, Limbago 5, Ornopia 4, Bajo 3, Padilla 3, Meniano 2, E. Alaba 2, Agojo 0, A. Alaba 0, Munoz 0, Mazo 0.
Quarters: 20-14, 32-31, 54-48, 66-56.
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