Cielo Pagdulagan may be a rookie for National University, but winning is far from new to her.
The first-year winger was a two-time UAAP High School Girls’ 3×3 champion with NU Nazareth School, clinching titles in Seasons 85 and 86. On both occasions, she was crowned the Most Valuable Player.
Her talent was on full display in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament, where she earned the Rookie of the Year award even before Game 2 of the Finals—a match that could have sealed an undefeated campaign for the Lady Bulldogs.
However, defending champion University of Santo Tomas had other plans. The Growling Tigresses launched a spirited comeback, defeating NU 78-68 to force a decisive winner-take-all Game 3 last Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The pride of Antipolo, Rizal led NU’s effort in Game 2, scoring 16 points on an efficient 7-of-13 shooting from the field, while adding three rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Despite her stellar performance, it wasn’t enough to complete the season sweep.
After the game, Pagdulagan reflected on the Lady Bulldogs’ shortcomings and what they could improve ahead of the all-or-nothing Game 3 scheduled for Sunday, 1 p.m., at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“For me siguro personally, sa tingin ko yung iba sa teammates namin, nung naka-execute na nang marami yung UST, parang feeling ko yung iba sa amin parang sumuko agad sila kahit hindi pa naman nagfa-final buzzer,” shared Pagdulagan, as UST’s Karylle Sierba and Brigette Santos took over in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
“Sabi lang sa amin ni Coach Aris (Dimaunahan), kailangan lang talaga namin maging together. Kanina kasi, may mga ibang players sa amin na parang naging selfish. So yun lang siguro ang kailangan namin i-adjust—na huwag muna namin isipin yung sarili namin, isipin namin yung buong team,” she continued.
The Lady Bulldogs had narrowly escaped with a 72-71 win in Game 1, but their dominance wasn’t enough to fend off UST in the second match.
While Pagdulagan expressed gratitude for winning the Rookie of the Year award, she made it clear that her ultimate goal is to help NU reclaim its spot atop women’s basketball after their seven-season championship reign was ended by UST last year.
“Syempre po, I’m happy, pero hindi po ako satisfied kasi hindi pa namin nakuha yung championship. Pero syempre, as a rookie tapos nakuha ko po yung Rookie of the Year, sobrang happy and blessed po,” said Pagdulagan.
