Forget all the heartaches – National University remains focused on reclaiming its title as the queens of UAAP women’s basketball.
After a decisive 76-64 victory over University of the Philippines on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the stage is set for a highly anticipated finals rematch between the Lady Bulldogs and University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses.
This match-up promises to be a heated showdown between last year’s finalists, both currently undefeated with 3-0 records in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Despite the stakes, NU is determined to approach the game with a clear focus and no emotional baggage.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Lady Bulldogs head coach Aris Dimaunahan emphasized, “We never look at the past things already… No emotions, just plain basketball, same basketball game that has to be played the right way.
“Basketball ito ‘eh, walang dapat isipin kundi kung paano ka mananalo and how will you represent your school and your team to the highest possible level.”
Third-year guard Aloha Betanio echoed Dimaunahan’s sentiments, focusing solely on playing championship-level basketball.
Betanio feels determined to move past the heartache of last year’s Finals loss and concentrate on what NU does best.
“Sabi nga ni coach na hindi namin tinitignan yung past… Gagawin lang namin kung ano ang tamang basketball and no emotions din, laruin lang namin kung ano ang NU basketball,” shared the Chiang Kai Shek College product.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, graduating forward Princess Fabruada stressed the importance of maintaining their competitive edge.
She urged her teammates to stay hungry and continue improving, knowing that UST will bring a formidable challenge.
After NU transformed a 41-all deadlock at halftime into a commanding 62-43 lead by the end of the third quarter, the urgency to refine their game became evident.
The Lady Bulldogs struggled with defensive lapses and were outscored 14-21 by the Fighting Maroons in the final period.
“Lahat ng natutunan namin this game, kailangan talaga namin i-adjust sa training namin, lahat ng kailangan namin gawin. Para pag-face namin sa UST, ma-adjust namin at makakapaglaro kami ng maayos,” the 5-foot-8 forward said.
