Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

Basketball

Cielo Pagdulagan pushes NU to prioritize team over self in decider


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 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, 1:00 PM, at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum.

UAAP87-WBB-CIELO-PAGDULAGAN-3503 Cielo Pagdulagan pushes NU to prioritize team over self in decider Basketball News NU UAAP  - philippine sports news

(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.

#ReadMore  Manu Iñigo, Sen Dysangco ensure UST's juniors-to-seniors development pathway

“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.

“Siyempre 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.

Written By

Just a kid from Cavite trying to make a difference.




You May Also Like

Basketball

National University settled for a silver-medal finish in the 2025 BLIA Cup University Basketball Invitational after falling to Japan Women’s College of Physical Education,...

Basketball

Tin Cayabyab erupted for 31 points to power National University to the championship round of the 2025 BLIA Cup University Basketball Invitational, following a...

Basketball

Cielo Pagdulagan and Tin Cayabyab powered National University to a 79-65 victory over the Victoria Select Team, securing a spot in the crossover semifinals...

Basketball

Ann Pingol, Tin Cayabyab, and Cielo Pagdulagan combined for 60 points to lead National University to a dominant 83-67 victory over Shih Hsin University,...

Basketball

Despite being a champion with the University of the Philippines, Dikachi Ududo has not forgotten his roots. The 21-year-old recently sent sporting gear and...

News

Japan-bound Leo Aringo gave full credit to the National University men’s volleyball team coaches and managers for paving the way to the next chapter...

Basketball

National University leaned on a clutch layup from Tin Cayabyab to escape with a narrow 90-89 victory over the University of Taipei (UT) in...

Basketball

National University will compete in the 2025 BLIA Cup University Basketball Invitational in Taiwan starting Wednesday, with fallen teammate Ashlyn Abong in their hearts...

Advertisement