By: Joaquin Cortez
National University strengthened its hold on a Final Four spot after cruising to a dominant 94-40 victory over the University of the East in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Following a stunning one-point loss to De La Salle University on Nov. 8, the Lady Bulldogs have bounced back with consecutive victories, improving to an 8-4 record and completing a season sweep of UE. NU now holds a one-game advantage over third-place Adamson University, which sits at 7-5.
“Last game we weren’t able to finish the game strong, so nagpabaya kami no’ng dulo. We just made sure we learned our lesson from that last game. Sabi ko nga, ‘If we had a chance to build a good lead, as much as possible, we maintain it ‘til the end,’” said NU head coach Da Olan. “Good thing nagawa naman namin ‘yun.”
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The Lady Bulldogs face a challenging stretch ahead, with back-to-back matchups against two teams that handed them losses earlier in the season.
NU will first take on defending champion University of Santo Tomas on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 12:00 p.m. before facing the University of the Philippines on Saturday, Nov. 28, at 7:30 p.m. Both games will be held at the Big Dome.
Meanwhile, UE has struggled to build on its breakthrough victory over La Salle, which snapped its 31-game losing streak on Oct. 28. The Lady Warriors have since dropped their last four games to fall to 1-11.
UE’s offensive struggles also resulted in the lowest point total recorded by any team this season, surpassing Far Eastern University’s previous low of 42 points in its first-round loss to UST on Oct. 14.
The Lady Bulldogs wasted no time asserting their dominance, racing to a 30-10 lead behind Tin Cayabyab’s layup before taking a 39-20 advantage into halftime.
NU continued to stifle UE defensively after the break, limiting the Lady Warriors to just 13 points in the third quarter as its lead grew to 31, 64-33, heading into the final period.
The Lady Bulldogs maintained their commanding advantage down the stretch, with another inside finish from Cayabyab extending their lead to 41 points, 81-40, with 4:40 remaining to put the game out of reach.
“Kailangan reliable lahat. Kailangan lahat, maaasahan sa court. We need everybody talaga, especially medyo outnumbered kami, meaning ‘di naman kami gaanong puno sa lineup pero [kailangan] each one of us is kailangan ready and make contribution,” Olan said.
Ann Pingol paced NU with a dominant double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds, alongside six assists and five steals. Cayabyab followed with 16 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
Aubrey Lapasaran and Marga Villanueva also chipped in 11 points apiece.
Rachel Lacayanga was UE’s lone double-digit scorer with 10 points and five rebounds, while Sy Oñate added eight points on 25 percent shooting.
UE will have a two-week break before returning to action against Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday, Nov. 28, at 10:00 a.m.
The Scores:
NU 94 – Pingol 19, Cayabyab 16, Pagdulagan 14, Lapasaran 11, Villanueva 11, Alterado 8, Rosano 6, Solis 5, Tacastacas 4, Betanio 0, Alba 0, Garcia 0, Ico 0.
UE 40 – Lacayanga 10, Oñate 8, Cruz 7, Ronquillo 7, Buscar 6, Vacalares 2, Sajol 0, Lumibao 0, Dublar 0, Gullim 0, Dalguntas 0, Ramos 0.
Quarterscores: 22-10, 39-20, 64-33, 94-40.
