Angel Surada couldn’t hide her delight seeing fellow seniors Ann Pingol and Tin Cayabyab shine in the UAAP Season 88 statistical points race, a moment made even sweeter considering Surada herself was part of last season’s Elite Team.
When the first-round SP standings were released, Pingol and Cayabyab unsurprisingly appeared in the top five behind Ateneo Blue Eagle Kacey Dela Rosa.
Fifth-year Pingol sits second with 89.571 SPs, averaging 15.0 points, 9.14 rebounds, 3.86 assists, and 3.43 steals per game.
Meanwhile, fourth-year Cayabyab is third, posting 18.14 points, 5.29 rebounds, 2.86 assists, and 3.14 steals per outing.
Surada, on the other hand, is 11th with 58.57 SPs, averaging 7.71 points, 7.57 rebounds, 2.29 assists, and 1.57 steals.
But the 25-year-old forward from Manila isn’t letting individual accolades overshadow the bigger picture.
Instead, she celebrated her teammates’ achievements.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Happy ako na siyempre maraming (taga) National University na nasa MVP race,” said Surada.
“Andun din si Aloja (Betanio) sa top 10. Wala naman akong plano mag-top. I’m genuinely happy for my teammates.”
Still, Surada made a major impact in NU’s 69-47 rout of Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
She flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and nine steals, yet quickly credited her teammates for the performance.
“Wala naman kasi naglaro lang talaga kami and happy lang din ako na na-ro-rotate yung bola. Napapasahan lang din ako. Wala din sa akin yung stats. Bonus lang yun,” she said.
The Lady Bulldogs’ win was a collective defensive masterpiece. They held Ateneo’s supporting cast to single digits while allowing only Kacey Dela Rosa to reach double figures with 18 points and 15 rebounds.
NU dominated in the third quarter, limiting Ateneo to just four points and converting 33 points off 31 turnovers.
Surada was quick to praise the teamwork that fueled the victory.
“Very happy. I would also like to commend my bigs, si Ann (Pingol) at si Sam (Medina). Nagtutulungan lang kami kasi ang move lang ni Kacey is spin kaya lagi lang namin inaabangan at nasa-stop namin siya dun,” she said.
“Lagi sinasabi sa amin ng coaches, lalo na nung halftime, ayusin namin yung depensa namin kasi yung depensa namin yung mag-fuel ng offense namin.”
