Afril Bernardino anchored National University’s rise to prominence — and eventual domination — in UAAP women’s basketball, leading the Lady Bulldogs to the first three championships in school history. NU’s reign would eventually extend to seven consecutive crowns, even after her graduation.
After missing the Final Four entirely in her rookie year in Season 75, Bernardino led NU to the Finals the following season, only for the Lady Bulldogs to fall to De La Salle University in a three-game series.
However, that defeat became a turning point for both Bernardino and the program. She emerged as the league’s best player in her final three seasons with the Lady Bulldogs, winning three consecutive MVP awards while leading NU to as many championships — all secured through 16-game season sweeps.
That marked the beginning of NU’s dominance in the division, with the Lady Bulldogs eventually capturing seven straight championships and, at one point, stringing together 108 consecutive victories.
Bernardino has long been part of the Lady Bulldogs family, but in Season 89, she began her coaching career with the very team that first taught her the pain of defeat — the Lady Archers.
On Saturday, the three-time UAAP MVP faced her alma mater for the first time as a coach, as NU narrowly escaped La Salle, 75-71, at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Having been one of the pillars of the Lady Bulldogs’ dynasty, Bernardino hopes to pass on the same principles that helped NU build its championship-winning program to the Lady Archers.
“It’s my first time coaching, so coaching La Salle, giving them what I experienced before,” said the 30-year-old forward.
“Siyempre ‘yung tatak ng NU kasi is we treat each other as family. I saw it naman with how they played even sa previous games nila. It was a good fight.”
(C) WMPBL
Despite venturing into coaching this year, Bernardino has shown that she can still play and dominate on the court. Just last July, she captured her third consecutive MVP award in the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
Her stint in the league also opened the door to coaching, as Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire head coach Cholo Villanueva offered her a spot on his coaching staff at La Salle.
“Si Coach Cholo kasi, coach ko siya sa WMPBL sa Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire. Binigyan niya rin ako ng chance na ma-share ko ‘yung knowledge ko sa basketball sa mga players niya,” said Bernardino.
Bernardino, who remains part of the Gilas Pilipinas Women’s squad, continues to learn the ropes in her new role but jokingly admitted that she still prefers playing.
“It’s fun naman, pero sabi ko nga, parang binibiro ko; mas naii-stress ako sa coaching kaysa sa pag naglalaro ako. Pero I think challenge lang din ito ‘yung kung paano ako as a coach naman. Nai-enjoy ko naman.”
La Salle finished the first round in seventh place with a 1-6 record, but the Lady Archers will hope that their close fight against NU serves as a sign of better things to come in the second round.
