The Final Four cast is complete!
The leading ladies of UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball came up clutch anew and showed out over the weekend at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. In the latest game days of the tournament, the four semifinalists got determined, and several standout performances emerged from the battles that took place.
Vol. 11 of this list was EN FUEGO, and this edition aptly maintained the same level of heat.
5. Kamba Kone – UE Lady Warriors
The top-seeded NU Lady Bulldogs kept the Lady Warriors winless in 10 games with a 75-57 romp on Saturday. Despite the shellacking it took, the Recto-based squad managed to find a bright spot in Kone. Displaying courage and strength against NU’s intimidating lineup, UE’s foreign student-athlete amassed 21 points and 18 rebounds in a massive effort.
4. Favour Onoh – UP Fighting Maroons
The Fighting Maroons have already clinched a Final Four berth prior to their game last Saturday. With that, complacency may have kicked in as they incurred a 75-71 defeat at the hands of the De La Salle Lady Archers. Onoh, however, did her part for UP. In fact, she did a lot more than that. She notched 23 points, 24 rebounds, two assists, and five blocks. UP is now tied with the UST Growling Tigresses for second place with an identical 9-3 record. With the twice-to-beat advantage on the line, the Fighting Maroons clearly need Onoh to re-enter the zone in the final two games of the elimination round.
3. Sarah Makunjuola – Ateneo Blue Eagles
For the second straight game, Makunjuola impressively co-anchored the Blue Eagles’ highly potent inside game. In Ateneo’s 79-66 mastery of the FEU Tamaraws on Sunday, the Nigerian native rocked her big girl pants and notched a solid double-double of 14 points and 16 rebounds. Consider her three blocks as the cherries on top. With an 8-4 slate, a Final Four slot has been secured by the lady hoopers of Katipunan.
2. Kent Pastrana – UST Growling Tigresses
Pastrana’s MVP bid continues in Season 86. On Sunday, UST’s ace erupted once again as she scored 24 points on top of five rebounds and four steals. Her explosion helped the Growling Tigresses subdue the stubborn Adamson Lady Falcons, 76-70. But more importantly, UST remains in the hunt for a twice-to-beat edge in the semifinals. All thanks to Pastrana, who kent do anything wrong! See what we did there? No? Sorry.
1. Kacey dela Rosa – Ateneo Blue Eagles
KDR is the undisputed queen of Vol. 12. Stomping all over FEU’s frontline, dela Rosa posted 27 points, 12 rebounds, and three swats. With her latest Anthony Davis-minus-the-injuries-type performance, saying dela Rosa is actually Season 86’s most dominant player sounds more like a fact than an opinion. The next time you come across an Ateneo women’s basketball game, don’t pass up on the opportunity to watch KDR hoop out.
NU, UP, UST, and Ateneo have made it to the Final Four. The next two games will decide who’s facing who in the penultimate stage of the tournament. Can’t wait to see who’s making it to Vol. 13.