Double-doubles in seven games are not enough for reigning MVP Kacey Dela Rosa, as the Ateneo Blue Eagles have ground to make up in UAAP Season 87.
She’s at the top of her game, but reigning UAAP MVP Kacey Dela Rosa continues to push as the Blue Eagles are eager to establish themselves as legitimate contenders for the crown.
Having a lot of ground to make up at 4-3 midway through Season 87, Dela Rosa is hard on herself with their up-and-down campaign making things difficult so far.
Even as she currently leads the MVP race for Season 87 after the first half of the elimination round, the towering center said that it is simply “not enough” for herself and the Blue Eagles to make a mark.
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“I think 'yung performance ko, not enough pa to help the team and to [reach] our goal. Marami pa akong kailangan trabahuhin din para mas maka-help pa sa team namin,” said Dela Rosa.
In their first round closer against perennial powerhouse NU Lady Bulldogs, Dela Rosa and the Blue Eagles appeared to go toe-to-toe as they kept themselves within striking distance late in the ball game.
Even as they eventually lost to the championship-laden team, there was a lot of positives to take.
As the second half of the season comes at them with tougher games ahead, Dela Rosa is also looking to involve her teammates more as defenses collapse on her inside the paint.
Surrounded by capable shooters, Dela Rosa urged her fellow Blue Eagles to have more confidence in their shot.
“Inisip ko rin 'yun as an advantage para sa team namin. Kasi kung naka-double team sakin, syempre, may isang mao-open. So ayun lang, shoot lang nila,” said Dela Rosa.
“I think kaya naming mag-champion,” she added.
Nevertheless, the Blue Eagles will have ground to make up for once the second round begins this weekend. They open the second half of the season against the NU Lady Bulldogs again on Sunday, October 13.