UAAP Season 84’s women’s 3×3 basketball tournament did not just see the return of women’s collegiate hoops.
It also ushered in a new era for National University.
No longer on the sidelines for the Lady Bulldogs was Patrick Aquino.
Instead, his heir Aris Dimaunahan called the shots.
“I am feeling blessed na binigyan ako ng opportunity to handle a team na very prestigious,” said Dimaunahan, the former interim coach of Blackwater in the PBA. “Maganda yung culture at showing for the past six years.
“Very happy na nagkaroon ako ng chance na ito.”
Though the scene was different, the results were still the same.
The quartet of Camille Clarin, Kristine Cayabyab, Angel Surada, and Ann Pingol ran roughshod during the elimination round, winning by an average margin of 7.0 points.
Though NU needed to eke out a 21-20 win over Ateneo in the semis and 21-18 in the finale against University of Santo Tomas, the result was still the same — a championship.
Now that their 20-game swinning streak in 3×3 endured, the bigger streak is now the focus of the Lady Bulldogs — their legendary 96-game winning run in 5-on-5.
Dimaunahan knows that there is a lot of pressure to maintain that streak. And he is embracing it.
“Big shoes to fill because Coach Pat is a legendary coach. Rest assured, we’ll do our best to grind daily to prepare in continuing his legacy.“
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