Ateneo’s Kacey Dela Rosa dominated UAAP Season 87, leading in scoring, rebounding, and blocks, cementing her status as a back-to-back MVP frontrunner as the Final Four approaches.
The UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament will feature a stepladder format for the Final Four.
But before all that action, the attention first turns to the standout players whose exceptional performances have defined the season.
Here's a look at the statistical leaders from the elimination round, setting the stage for an exciting postseason showdown.
Scoring
Ateneo’s Kacey Dela Rosa led all scorers in the women’s division with an average of 22.07 points.
The Blue Eagles star is set for back-to-back UAAP MVP awards after collecting a whopping 96.286 statistical points (SPs).
Dela Rosa is tied for the highest scoring output in Season 87 with 34 points in Ateneo’s opening-day win versus UP on September 8.
Runners-up:
- Luisa San Juan – DLSU Lady Archers: 16.0 PPG
- Kent Pastrana – UST Growling Tigresses: 15.21 PPG
Assists
Princess Ganade of UE led the league in assists with 5.14 dimes per game, helping her team in both playmaking and ball movement throughout the season.
Despite the Lady Warriors’ 1-13 record, Ganade proved to be a steady playmaker for the Recto-based squad.
Runners-up:
- Angelika Soriano – UP Fighting Maroons: 5.0 APG
- Junize Calago – Ateneo Blue Eagles: 4.85 APG
Rebounding
Dela Rosa also topped the rebounding category with 16.00 rebounds per game, showing her dominance on the boards to complement her scoring abilities.
Need further proof? The reigning MVP had three 20 rebound games in Season 87.
Runners-up:
- Sarah Makanjoula – Ateneo Blue Eagles: 12.07 RPG
- Kamba Kone - UE Lady Warriors: 9.14 RPG
Blocks
Dela Rosa continued her strong performance in the paint, averaging 2.29 blocks per game, securing her position as a defensive force for Ateneo.
Like her rebounding prowess, the Ateneo superstar had two games in the season where she had five blocks.
Runners-up:
- Patricia Mendoza - DLSU Lady Archers: 1.57 BPG
- Sarah Makanjoula - Ateneo Blue Eagles: 1.29 BPG
Steals
UE’s Rachel Lacayanga shined defensively, leading the league with 3.31 steals per game, setting the tone for her team’s defense.
Lacayanga had the second-highest single-game steals outing with seven during the Lady Warriors’ loss to NU on September 28.
Runners-up:
- Bridgette Santos – UST Growling Tigresses: 2.5 SPG
- Cheska Apag – Adamson Lady Falcons: 2.5 SPG
3PT Field Goals Made
Tacky Tacatac was lights out for UST in Season 87.
The proven shooter dialed in 47 threes in the season, making 3.36 triples per game.
Runners-up:
- Luisa San Juan – DLSU Lady Archers: 2.79 3PG
- MJ Manguiat – FEU Lady Tamaraws: 2.64 3PG
Plus/Minus
In terms of efficiency, look towards none other than UST’s Kent Pastrana at +182.
Pastrana has proven that whenever she’s on the court, good things happen for the Growling Tigresses, who are looking to defend their crown in Season 87.
Runners-up:
- Aloha Betanio – NU Lady Bulldogs: +178
- Kristine Cayabyab – NU Lady Bulldogs: +162
Team Statistics
NU led the league in scoring with an average of 76.29 points and posted the highest two-point and three-point shooting percentage at 49.13 and 27.19%, respectively.
The Lady Bulldogs also allowed the least amount of points with 57.71, while averaging the most assists with 21.86 dimes.
Meanwhile, Ateneo dominated the defensive end with 50.71 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game to lead the league.
Adamson had the lowest turnover rate, committing only 20.5 per game, but struggled offensively, ranking second-to-last in field goal percentage (32.44%) and three-point field goal (19.22%).
The stepladder tournament will begin tomorrow, November 30 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.