Plenty of talent to go around.
Ball. Rinse. Repeat. The first round of the women's basketball tournament in UAAP Season 86 closed last Saturday, and a handful of ladies showed out anew.
There was no sweep of the opening round after the UP Lady Maroons suffered a defeat at the hands of the Ateneo Lady Eagles. The NU Lady Bulldogs, meanwhile, tied UP atop the team standings after another convincing win.
With regard to this list, honorable mention goes to Favour Onoh of UP, Camille Clarin of NU, and Eka Soriano of the UST Growling Tigresses.
5. Lee Sario - De La Salle Lady Archers
The Lady Archers closed out the first round with a win after beating the UE Lady Warriors, 80-62. Sario led the charge with all-around norms of 15 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. She's one of the few bright spots of La Salle this season, and she will have to make more things happen.
4. Tin Cayabyab - NU Lady Bulldogs
It seems a different player has starred for the Lady Bulldogs every game. In their 95-65 drubbing of the Adamson Lady Falcons, it was Cayabyab's turn in the spotlight. She tallied 22 points on 6-of-9 shooting from long range and added three boards. The stocky guard can wax hot anytime.
3. Kent Pastrana - UST Growling Tigresses
Pastrana had a career game in UST's win over the FEU Tamaraws, 82-66. She exploded for a new personal best of 28 points, including 17 in the second quarter alone. She had her fingerprints all over the game, as she also had five rebounds, six assists, and three takeaways. Can't stop Kent!
2. Junize Calago - Ateneo Blue Eagles
Ateneo said NO to UP's aim of a first round sweep. Calago was highly instrumental in their hard-earned 85-76 victory, collecting 24 points, 12 boards, and three dimes. She's one of the more underrated players in the UAAP, and the Lady Eagles can always bank on her to widely contribute.
1. Jhazmin Joson - Ateneo Blue Eagles
Joson went ballistic in their statement win over the Fighting Maroons. She torched the net with 29 markers, built on 8-of-12 sniping from three-point range, in arguably the finest shooting display this season. It's no wonder why she always has a spot with Gilas Pilipinas Women. Keep it raining!