BREAKOUT games in the UAAP Season 85 men’s and women’s basketball tournaments were the catalysts to much-needed wins last week.
After a winless campaign last season, University of the East now holds a 3-2 card — propped up by back-to-back wins — largely due to the impressive play of versatile forward Luis Villegas.
The first-year player is proving to be a rising star for the Red Warriors with averages of 16.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 steals in key wins against La Salle and UST.
Another rookie in Ateneo’s Kacey Dela Rosa also turned heads with a stupendous stat line of 30 markers on 10-of-13 shooting, 20 boards, and seven blocks in the Blue Eagles’ 67-61 victory over defending champion University of the Philippines.
Boosted by their breakout games, Villegas and Dela Rosa were hailed as the Collegiate Press Corps UAAP Co-Players of the Week presented by the Philippine Sports Commission.
“It’s not an easy league to play (in). Every team is competitive and the physicality is real. It’s a little bit difficult, but I feel like it’s a better transition. For sure, this is a tough league,” said Villegas.
Ateneo head coach LA Mumar is optimistic he will see more top-flight performances from a young big man he likened to an NBA legend.
“We really expect a lot from Shaq and Kobe. That’s what I call them. They’re really skilled and talented,” he said of Dela Rosa – the Shaquille O’Neal in the analogy – and veteran guard Jhazmin Joson – playing the role of Kobe Bryant.
“I’m very confident with their talent. I think they’re such a deadly 1-2 combo. It gives us a chance every game to win,” he added.
Villegas and Dela Rosa bested UP’s Carl Tamayo, NU’s Steve Nash Enriquez, La Salle’s Schonny Winston, Ateneo’s Joson and NU’s Mikka Cacho for the award.
This is the third time that two players shared the weekly honor.
The first was NU’s Ria Nabalan and Ateneo’s Ange Kouame in October 2018, followed by UST’s CJ Cansino and Adamson’s Mar Prado in October 2019.
