Ateneo’s Kacey Dela Rosa wins her second straight UAAP women’s basketball MVP.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Becoming a two-time UAAP MVP only fueled Kacey Dela Rosa’s desire to deliver a championship to Ateneo.

Dela Rosa led the Blue Eagles to the playoffs but lost in the first game of the stepladder semifinals to eventual bronze medalist Adamson in overtime.

“Siyempre ako super happy po kasi nakuha ko yung back-to-back MVP. And siguro hindi pa rin ako satisfied kasi marami pa akong kulang din sa games ko. Kasi naglu-look talaga ako sa team effort. Pero I’m happy naman,” said Dela Rosa, who became first Blue Eagle to win consecutive women’s basketball MVPs since Cassy Tioseco in 2007, shortly after the awarding ceremony on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Kacey Dela Rosa on winning her second MVP. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/i2VyIimYl3

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) December 11, 2024

Dela Rosa highlighted another MVP campaign with 14 consecutive double-double outings, dominating with a league-best 96.286 statistical points after averaging 22.07 points, 16.0 rebounds, and 2.29 blocks — topping all three departments in the elimination round. She recorded another double-double with 19 points, 24 rebounds on top of five blocks in the semifinal loss to the Lady Falcons.

The third-year center believes her leadership was her biggest improvement this year and she hopes to be an even better leader next season. 

“I think sa pagiging leader sa court and yung decision making. Though kulang ka siya, pero I think nandoon na,” said Dela Rosa. “Kasi half ng team namin rookies sila. Siguro yung positive dun na alam na nila paano maglaro here sa UAAP, sa Philippines. So I think mas nakaka-adjust sila next year.”

“Sa tingin ko, ang kulang lang namin yung bawasan naman talaga yung turnovers. And yun nga sa decision making din ng teammates. And feel ko naman yung sa mga small things lang yung kulang namin,  di naman yung mga major things,” she added.

The former UAAP Rookie of the Year, who is open to playing for Gilas Pilipinas in the offseason, wants no less than a championship next.

“Isa lang naman yung goal namin nila po coach,  yung championship na sayang di namin nakuha this year. Pero yeah, we’ll bounce back next year,” she said. 

Before Dela Rosa, University of Santo Tomas’ Grace Irebu was the last back-to-back winner in 2019. Adamson’s Analyn Almazan (2009-10), and three-time MVP Afril Bernardino (2014-16) also won multiple MVPs.

Dela Rosa also praised her teammate Sarah Makanjuola for making it to the Mythical Team with UST’s Kent Pastrana, University of the Philippines guard  Louna Ozar, and NU’s Angel Surada. NU’s Cielo Pagdulagan won the Rookie of the Year.

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“Super laki ng tinutulong sa akin ni Sarah. Lalo lang sa training. Siyempre, siya kalaban ko sa training,” she said.

“Siguro yung composure din ni Sarah nakaka-help siya. Hindi lang sa akin ah, pero sa buong team. May isang game na parang lahat kami kakastart lang ng gamemango win, badtrip lahat tapos, nandiyan si Sarah parang siya lang yung kalmado. So siya yung nag-lead sa amin.”

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• Kacey