The NU Lady Bulldogs in their game against Ateneo in the UAAP Season 89 women's basketball tournament, October 3, 2026 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. UAAP Media
MANILA — National University weathered a tremendous effort from Kacey dela Rosa to turn back Ateneo de Manila University, 87-77, and stay unbeaten in the UAAP Season 89 women's basketball tournament on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Lady Bulldogs had to survive a 31-point, 15-rebound double-double from Dela Rosa to improve to 2-0 in the tournament.
It was a confidence-boosting win for NU heading into their Finals rematch against modern-day rival and defending champion University of Santo Tomas next Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.
"We just have to work on it, two games na may third quarter na mediyo bumababa. We cannot sustain yung nabubuild namin na lead in the first half," said second-year head coach DA Olan. "Pero we're happy na we're able to pull through this win."
NU overpowered Ateneo offensively, racing to a 13-point lead in the first quarter before leaning on its outside shooting to take a 47-27 advantage with two minutes left in the second period.
Depth also proved crucial, as the Lady Bulldogs' bench outscored the Blue Eagles, 17-5, in the first half alone.
While NU maintained its double-digit lead for most of the third quarter, Ateneo fought back with a 14-point swing in the latter part of the period to cut the deficit to six, 64-58.
Ateneo's Kacey dela Rosa in action against NU in the UAAP Season 89 women's basketball tournament, October 3, 2026 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. UAAP Media
With less than three minutes left in the final canto, Dela Rosa scored five straight points to bring Ateneo within three, 78-75. NU quickly shut down the mini-run, however, as Marga Villanueva knocked down a three-pointer.
Villanueva then hit another triple that proved to be the dagger with just over a minute remaining, while Kristine Cayabyab added another trey to seal the victory.
Villanueva had a stellar shooting night, scoring 16 points on a 54.5-percent shooting clip while going 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Aloha Betanio finished with 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while 17-year-old Zaydhen Rosano contributed 13 points and five assists. Ann Pingol also notched 12 points and seven rebounds despite fouling out with three minutes left in the third quarter.
As a team, the Lady Bulldogs made 13 three-pointers compared to just three for the Blue Eagles.
Dela Rosa added five steals to her stat line, while Seng Calago added 19 points and nine rebounds, and Sarah Makanjuola chipped in 13 points and nine rebounds.
Ateneo will look to end its skid against Far Eastern University at 12 p.m. next Saturday at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
NU 87 - Villanueva 16, Betanio 15, Pingol 12, Pagdulagan 11, Cayabyab 10, Solis 4, Lapasaran 2, Alterado 2, Garcia 2, Alba 0.
Ateneo 77 - Dela Rosa 31, Calago 19, Makanjuola 12, De Luna 4, H. Lopez 3, Subejano 3, Rodriguez 2, Cruza 2, Oani 0, L. Lopez 0, Hagedorn 0.
Quarterscores: 25-14, 49-32, 64-58, 87-77.