When Camille Clarin, Pringle Fabruada, and Maymay Canuto left National University as UAAP Season 87 champions, the Lady Bulldogs needed a new leader to continue their winning tradition.
That leader emerged in fifth-year senior Ann Pingol, tasked with guiding the team through the Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Alongside fellow senior Angel Surada, Pingol shouldered the responsibility of not only defending NU’s crown but also passing the torch to younger talents like Marga Villanueva, Sam Medina, and Nicole Pring.
The mission was clear: finish their collegiate careers with a championship and sustain the Lady Bulldogs’ culture of excellence.
Pingol is on track to do just that.
Her leadership helped NU edge third-ranked Ateneo de Manila University in a thrilling 67-66 showdown, fueling her drive to achieve a feat the program hasn’t seen in over eight years.
Her stellar performances didn’t go unnoticed.
After the 14-game elimination round, Pingol earned the presumptive MVP title, surpassing two-time MVP Kacey Dela Rosa with 93.571 statistical points, including two triple-doubles.
The 24-year-old native of Pototan, Iloilo averaged 14.29 points, 8.93 rebounds, 5.14 assists, 3.57 steals, and 1.07 blocks per game.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“I mean, kilala niyo naman yung NU, hindi kami nag-goal for the individual awards. Yung goal talaga namin is to defend the championship,” Pingol said.
“Siguro, ewan ko… As a senior this year, kailangan ko rin mag-step up para sa kanila, sa mga rookies at sa mga teammates namin, at syempre para rin sa coach namin.”
Pingol admitted she didn’t focus on the MVP award. She simply gave her best every game, drawing strength from the Lady Bulldogs’ decade-long winning culture.
“Binigay ko lang talaga every game yung best ko.
“Naging consistent lang ako dahil doon sa support natin. Hindi ko rin naman ‘yon makukuha kung wala yung mga coaches na nag-encourage sa akin. Nag-go lang ako with the flow, at ‘yon, nakuha ko yung award. Hindi ko rin alam kung paano ko nakuha, basta naglaro lang ako kung paano ako naglaro,” Pingol explained.
Her achievement marks the first MVP from the NU women’s basketball program since Jack Animam in UAAP Season 80 (2017).
The 5-foot-7 winger credited the recognition to her teammates and first-year head coach DA Olan, whose guidance helped shape a new brand of NU basketball — one built not only on teamwork but also on leadership.
In Olan’s first year, the Lady Bulldogs produced three Elite Team awardees in Surada, Pingol, and Tin Cayabyab, a testament to the culture of leadership now central to the program.
As NU prepares to face the still-unbeaten University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses in the best-of-three championship series starting this Saturday, December 6, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, Olan emphasized the importance of senior leadership.
“I’m so lucky na na-build nila yung leadership na ‘yon throughout the years na naglaro sila sa NU. Ngayon, it’s their time to be the seniors,” said Olan.
“Last year, it was Clarin, it was Fabruada, it was Canuto. Ngayon, it’s their time, and I think they’re doing a good job leading the team.”
