National University is primed for its much-anticipated Finals rematch with University of Santo Tomas after an 81-48 rout of University of the East, securing the first twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Final Four on Saturday afternoon at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Bulldogs relied on a fast start and a balanced attack to extend their winning streak to 11 games and improve to 12-1 overall.
Ann Pingol led the charge with 18 points on an efficient 8-of-12 shooting, adding seven steals, six rebounds, and three assists. Meanwhile, Dindy Medina scored all 16 of her points in the first half.
“When we first played them, it was only our second game, so I believe naman na we improved by playing all those games, chemistry-wise [and] system-wise,” NU head coach DA Olan said.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Lady Bulldogs will face the Golden Tigresses on Nov. 23, as the defending champions aim to avenge their 62-76 loss in the first round.
UST is still playing Ateneo de Manila University as of posting time.
“We’ll just prepare for that last game just as hard as we prepare for any other team. Same mindset pa rin na every game — we prepare hard and we want to get that win. Same mindset coming into that last game against UST,” he added.
After a strong 23-11 showing in the first quarter, the Lady Bulldogs broke the game open with a dominant 30-8 second quarter. They held the Lady Warriors to a woeful 2-of-9 shooting while establishing a 53-19 halftime lead.
NU maintained control in the third quarter as key baskets by Daniella Alterado, Angel Surada, and Tin Cayabyab pushed UE into a 71-33 deficit heading into the final period.
Marga Villanueva finished with 14 points, two steals, two assists, and one rebound, while Cayabyab posted a near double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds, adding three assists.
Surada came one point shy of a double-double, contributing nine points and 11 rebounds, along with three steals and two assists.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The loss kept UE winless in 13 games and extended their losing streak to 23 straight contests dating back to the first round of Season 87.
Syvil Oñate led the Lady Warriors with 23 points on 7-of-15 shooting, adding three rebounds and one steal. Rachel Lacayanga was limited to nine points on 3-of-12 shooting with seven turnovers but contributed seven rebounds, three steals, and one assist.
UE aims to close the season on a high note when it battles Far Eastern University next Saturday, November 22, also at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
NU (81) – Pingol 18, D. Medina 16, Villanueva 14, Cayabyab 10, Surada 9, Alterado 4, Betanio 3, Pring 2, S. Medina 2, Ico 2, Solis 1, Canindo 0.
UE (48) – Oñate 23, Lacayanga 9, Ronquillo 4, Dalguntas 3, Gullim 2, Buscar 2, Trinidad 2, Lumibao 2, Yañez 1, Ramos 0, Gomez 0, Salise 0, Delig 0.
Quarterscores: 23-11, 53-19, 71-33, 81-48.
