Ria Nabalan stepped up when the Lady Bulldogs needed here
Up by just 71-70 with just a minute left in the ballgame, defending champions National University Lady Bulldogs were walking on eggshells in Game One of the UAAP Season 79 Women’s Basketball Tournament Finals.
NU’s big three of Afril Bernardino, Jack Daniel Animam and Gemma Miranda contributed what they can to thwart challengers DLSU Lady Archers.
However, the Lady Bulldogs were looking for one of their own to step up and share the load with their big three. That player was third-year student Ria Nabalan who clinched the game for NU with two consecutive treys in the game’s dying moments.
The Lady Bulldogs prevailed 77-74 against the Lady Archers in what was a hard-fought contest. Relief swept the faces of the Lady Bulldogs, their coaches and fans once the final buzzer sounded.
“Medyo dikitan ang laban pero nakinig lang kami sa mga coaches namin kaya nagawa namin ang dapat gawin,” said Nabalan, who finished the game with 11 points (3.5 points above her norms), four rebounds, and three assists.
“Iniisip ko ang team ko, kung paano kami makakalayo sa kanila. Siguro help na din ni God iyon para sa amin.”
The Pandancan, Manila-resident shared that the team was happy with what it achieved so far, but still kept its eyes on the prize.
“Hindi kami mag-rerelax, lagi kami mag training. Iperfect namin ang hindi namin nagawa ngayon at lagi lang kami kakatok sa itaas,” the Perlas Pilipinas member shared.
Nabalan was still in Chiang Kai Shek College when NU folded to La Salle in the Season 76 Finals. Despite that, she is eager to give her seniors a proper send-off.
“Gusto talaga namin kasi grabe po yung nangyari noong Game Two. Gusto talaga nila bumawi sa La Salle.”
