For over 360 days, defending champion University of Santo Tomas was the puzzle that National University Nazareth School could not solve.
Since joining the UAAP girls’ basketball tournament in Season 87, the Junior Growling Tigresses had not only served as the league’s measuring stick — they also became the Lady Bullpups’ roadblock to glory.
Last season, NUNS dropped all four meetings against UST, including a Finals sweep, with an average losing margin of 16.5 points per game.
On Sunday afternoon, inside a raucous Adamson Gym in Manila, however, the puzzle was finally solved.
Backed by a roaring contingent from their women’s team counterparts — including head coach DA Olan, Season 87 Finals MVP Cielo Pagdulagan, Gilas Women 3×3 star Mikha Cacho, and Aloha Betanio — the Lady Bullpups broke through.
They secured a historic 74-62 win over the Junior Growling Tigresses while completing a first-round sweep of the UAAP Season 88 Girls’ Basketball Tournament.
For new head coach Ai Lebornio, the victory that ended UST’s 10-game streak was even more meaningful with the Lady Bulldogs in attendance. Their presence highlighted the guidance, standards, and championship culture that fueled NUNS’ growth heading into Season 88.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Sobrang sarap kasi nandiyan yung head coach namin sa seniors team. At least nakikita nila kung ano meron sa buong team,” Lebornio said.
“Actually, malaking bagay sila kasi yung collegiate team, tinutulungan nila kami paghandaan itong UAAP. Sobrang thankful kami na nandiyan sila and also to coach DA, sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam at dagdag boost sa bata.”
Gilas Youth guard Aubrey Lapasaran echoed Lebornio’s sentiments, emphasizing the support that the Lady Bulldogs have constantly provided since NUNS joined the division — especially during their heartbreaking Season 87 campaign, where all their losses came at the hands of the Junior Growling Tigresses.
Against UST, the 18-year-old guard showed poise beyond her years, powering NUNS’ fourth-quarter surge to finish with 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
In the Lady Bullpups’ first-round sweep, Lapasaran averaged 16.33 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 steals, and 4.0 assists through three games.
“Sa lahat ng bagay, nandiyan sila ‘eh. Palagi sila naka-support sa amin [at] nandiyan sila sa likod namin, lagi nag-ooffer ng advice — kahit yung mga grumaduate na namin na ate or hindi pa. Kasama rin sila sa laban namin,” Lapasaran shared.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
However, Lebornio knows that if NUNS wants to extend its unbeaten run, the Lady Bullpups must further refine their game. They had nearly fallen victim to a dominant third-quarter run by the Junior Growling Tigresses, which erased a 17-point halftime lead.
With NUNS trailing by one, 56-55, heading into the final period, Lebornio’s wards refused to let history slip away. They strung together 13 consecutive points — sealed by three straight inside hits from MVP frontrunner Zaydhen Rosano and KJ Badajos — to reclaim a decisive 68-60 lead with 4:46 remaining.
“Kung ano yung experience na nakuha namin against UST, marami pa talaga kami dapat ayusin at i-improve pa rito. Kasi nakita ko yung mga weakness natin dito, which is kailangan namin i-improve pa talaga,” she said.
The Lady Bullpups will open the second round against the De La Salle Zobel Junior Archers this Sunday, February 8, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
