UAAP Women’s Basketball: Ateneo withstood La Salle’s late-game surge
Ateneo de Manila University narrowly escaped a late-game surge by archrival De La Salle University to triumph, 65-62, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament on Sunday, September 15, at Adamson Gym.
The Lady Blue Eagles built a commanding 47-29 lead early in the third quarter anchored from dominant performances of reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kacey Dela Rosa, Junize Calago, rookie Kai Oani, and Nigerian center Sarah Makanjuola.
Despite ruling the period with a comfortable 51-38 cushion, a game surge in the fourth quarter helmed by Luisa San Juan ignited a comeback for the Lady Archers.
“I think we started slow in the game and ended slower. We adjusted late and that was on us coaches. San Juan got into a flow,” said Ateneo assistant coach Bacon Austria, as head coach LA Mumar was unavailable after the game.
San Juan nearly squandered Ateneo’s advantage after firing four triples to start the fourth quarter and turn it into a three-point game, 62-59, with four minutes left.
Calago split her free throws padding Ateneo’s lead but Bea Dalisay responded with a three-pointer to bring the Lady Archers within one point with 31.5 seconds remaining. La Salle, however, couldn’t complete a comeback as Oani sank a pair of free throws, sealing the victory for Ateneo.
"It is a rivalry game, so it's big for us. A win against La Salle is a win against La Salle. It's a good test for us, but there's still so much to learn," added Austria.
Dela Rosa delivered another double-double of 24 points, 16 rebounds, and four blocks to improve to a 2-1. Meanwhile, La Salle dropped to 0-3.
Calago and Oani tallied 13 and 10 markers, respectively, while Makanjuola contributed eight points and 12 boards.
San Juan, on the other hand, finished with a career-high 24 points, while graduating forward Bernice Paraiso scored 13 markers and seven rebounds in La Salle’s losing cause.
The Lady Blue Eagles’ feat arranged them a duel against Adamson Soaring Falcons on Saturday, September 21, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, while the Lady Archers will aim to clinch their first win when they take on the University of the East Lady Warriors on Sunday, September 22, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
THE SCORES:
Ateneo 65 - Dela Rosa 24, Calago 13, Oani 10, Makanjuila 8, Villacruz 7, Batongbakal 3, Eufemiano 0, Nieves 0, Angala 0, Aquirre 0, Cancio 0, Cruza 0.
DLSU 62 - San Juan 24, Paraiso 13, Dalisay 6, Santos 5, Sario 5, Dela Paz 4, Sunga 4, Delos Reyes 1, Camba 0, Mendoza 0, Rodriguez 0, Baciento 0.
Quarterscores: 17-14, 37-29, 51-38, 65-62.
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The East Asia Super League (EASL) is officially set to raise the curtain on its new season with a twin opening in Taipei and Tokyo on October 8, 2025 — a move that reflects the league’s expanding reach and growing stature as Asia’s premier basketball competition.
All eyes in Taiwan will be on the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium, which will host a blockbuster doubleheader featuring some of the region’s most decorated clubs.
The action tips off with a clash between the B.LEAGUE champions Utsunomiya Brex and the P. LEAGUE+ runners-up Taipei Fubon Braves. Utsunomiya, led by veteran guard Makoto Hiejima, entered as one of Japan’s most successful franchises. The Braves, meanwhile, look to prove their resilience after falling short in a grueling seven-game finals series last season, banking on the leadership of Chinese Taipei legend Lin Chih-Chieh.
The second game of the night brings a rematch between the P. LEAGUE+ champions Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and Japan’s Ryukyu Golden Kings. Their last encounter came in the 2025 EASL Final Four semifinals, where Taoyuan stunned Ryukyu, 71–64. This time, the Golden Kings are eager for redemption, while the Pilots hope to reaffirm their place among Asia’s elite.
Game schedule (HKT):
- Utsunomiya vs. Taipei Fubon – 6:30 PM
- Taoyuan vs. Ryukyu – 8:30 PM
China came within a single basket of toppling Oceania powerhouse Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup final, bowing 90-89 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but sending a clear message that it remains a force in Asian basketball.
The Chinese squad, bannered by Hu Mingxuan and Hu Jinqiu, led by as many as 15 points through three quarters before faltering in the final minutes against the defending champions. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the performance was a reminder of China’s proud basketball heritage and its potential return to continental supremacy.
Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals after triumphing over host nation Saudi Arabia in a tense 95-88 overtime victory on Monday, August 11 (Tuesday, August 12 in Manila) at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Justin Brownlee once again showed his ‘Never Say Die’ attitude after drilling a contested three-pointer with 3.7 seconds left to force the extra period. He went on to finish with 29 points, five assists, and four rebounds, paving the way for a quarterfinal showdown with two-time defending champion Australia on Wednesday, August 13.
Brownlee’s heroics set the stage for Kevin Quiambao, who buried two triples in OT to complete a 17-point performance alongside three dimes and three deflections.
"It was a special game, it was a special performance from both teams," said head coach Tim Cone. "They (Saudi Arabia) posed a lot of problems for us, and by all rights, they had the game won — except for the guy sitting to my right (Brownlee). If you know his history, that’s not unusual. He’s been hitting big shots."
AJ Edu anchored the middle with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, while Dwight Ramos chipped in 13 markers, 10 boards, three dimes, and a rejection.
Beyond Brownlee’s late-game magic, the Philippines secured the win by neutralizing Saudi Arabia’s high-scoring duo of Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Mohammed Alsuwailem in the extra frame.
Abdur-Rahkman erupted for 33 points on 8-of-14 shooting from deep, while Alsuwailem tallied 26 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks — but the two combined for only five points in OT as Gilas closed the door on the hosts’ upset bid.
The Scores:
Philippines 95 – Brownlee 29, Edu 17, Quiambao 17, Ramos 13, Fajardo 6, Tamayo 5, Thompson 4, Newsome 4, Malonzo 0, Perez 0, Aguilar 0.
Saudi Arabia 88 – Abdur-Rahkman 33, Alsuwailem 26, Almuwallad 10, Abdel Gabar 8, Ma. Almarwani 4, Belal 3, Kadi 3, Mo. Almarwani 1, Shubayli 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 40-37, 60-59, 79-79 (reg.), 95-88 (OT).