Beyond their drive to surpass last season’s runner-up finish, National University Nazareth School is carrying a far deeper purpose into the UAAP Season 88 Girls’ Basketball Tournament — one forged in grief and determination.
For the Lady Bullpups, this Season 88 campaign is about more than chasing the program’s first UAAP girls’ basketball crown. It is rooted in honoring the memory of their fallen teammate, Ashlyn Abong, who passed away on June 27, 2025.
That renewed sense of purpose was evident from the opening tip of Season 88, as NUNS stormed past Ateneo de Manila University in a record-breaking 155-29 rout, setting the largest winning margin in UAAP girls’ basketball history.
New Lady Bullpups head coach Ai Lebornio, who succeeded former mentor Cams Escoto, revealed that Abong’s memory has become the emotional backbone of NUNS’ title charge.
“Isa siya sa inspiration sa team at isa rin ‘yon sa dahilan kung bakit nagwo-work hand-in-hand yung team kasi ‘yun yung gusto niyan. Bago siya mawala dito, sinasabi niya palagi sa girls’ team na bumawi kayo at ibawi silang mga seniors,” Lebornio said last Sunday, January 11, at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
“Siya yung nagiging inspiration ng mga bata, especially si Coach Cams na umalis.”
Standing at 5-foot-11, Abong’s impact on the court extended beyond NUNS’ silver-medal finish in Season 87, where she averaged 11.63 points and 10.38 rebounds. She was also an integral part of the Gilas Girls’ program, particularly during the 2024 FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup Division B.
Lebornio even coached Abong briefly during NU’s women’s basketball team buildup ahead of the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament before the untimely passing of the 5-foot-11 center.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Her time mentoring Abong may have been short, but for Lebornio — former UE women’s basketball head coach and current mentor of the San Juan Lady Knights in the WMPBL — Abong remains an inseparable part of the Lady Bullpups’ Season 88 journey.
“Nakasama ko si Ashlyn nung pagpasok namin sa college naman. Pumasok ako sa college, paakyat siya sa college. Malapit sa akin yung bata kasi pina-handle sa akin yung big man ‘eh. Sa akin, sabi nga ni Aubrey [Lapasaran], kasama siya sa mission namin at doon sa dream namin,” Lebornio added.
For Aubrey Lapasaran, one of the key holdovers from NUNS’ Season 87 silver-medal run, this season is not only about redemption. The Gilas Youth guard dedicates Season 88 to fulfilling a personal promise to both Abong and former mentor Escoto.
That determination was on full display against the Blue Eagles. Lapasaran tallied 15 points, eight steals, four assists, and three rebounds, giving NUNS an early lead in the four-team field alongside defending champion University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle Zobel.
“Sobra. Lahat ng games, i-aalay ko ito sa kanya. Yung mga teammate ko dati, kay Abong, kay coach Cams, nangako ako sa kanila na paghihirapan namin na makuha yung championship. Blessed din kami na may coach [Ai] kami na nagga-guide sa amin through all those challenges,” Lapasaran shared.
“Nagbibigay din kami ng statement na nandito pa rin kami at magba-bounce back pa rin kami.”
