Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

Basketball

NU edges UST in Game 1, moves on verge of reclaiming UAAP Women’s Basketball crown


National University is on the verge of reclaiming the championship that was once theirs: the UAAP Women’s Basketball title.

The Lady Bulldogs displayed their composure and championship mentality in the fourth quarter, with Cielo Pagdulagan’s clutch go-ahead basket lifting them to a 72-71 victory over defending champions University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses.

With this, NU draws first blood with Game One of the best-of-three UAAP Season 87 Finals on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Pagdulagan, the presumptive Season 87 Rookie of the Year, exhibited poise beyond her years, She scored the game-winning layup to give NU a one-point advantage with 50.3 seconds left.

Despite shooting just 3-of-12 from the field prior to the basket, she made the most of the crucial moment.

UST had several opportunities to steal the win, but Kent Pastrana committed a traveling violation.

Tacky Tacatac missed a potential game-winning three-pointer, sealing NU’s victory and extending their winning streak to 15 games.

“I’m glad and happy for our players. Nobody veered away from what we do, especially in the second half. It’s a hell of a game for both teams. It’s good for the league and for fans that women’s basketball is turning out to be like this. That means the level in both teams is leveling up,” Lady Bulldogs head coach Aris Dimaunahan said.

UAAP87-WBB-Karl-Pingol-3119 NU edges UST in Game 1, moves on verge of reclaiming UAAP Women's Basketball crown Basketball News NU UAAP UST  - philippine sports news

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

The Lady Bulldogs surged in the second half, outscoring UST 18-7 in the third quarter to turn a 48-57 deficit into a 65-all tie with 5:56 left in the fourth. The run was capped by two free throws from Ann Pingol and a layup from Pagdulagan.

#ReadMore  2021 in Review: Bren, Blacklist prove 'Pilipinas lang malakas' in ML

After a brief four-point lead from Season 85 MVP Eka Soriano, NU responded with free throws from Pringle Fabruada and Gypsy Canuto to regain a slim 70-69 advantage with 1:38 remaining.

NU center Jainaba Konateh was assessed an unsportsmanlike foul for stepping into the landing area of Rachel Ambos’ three-point attempt with 41.5 seconds left in the second quarter.

The Lady Bulldogs will have a chance to reclaim the championship – their eighth title in the past nine UAAP seasons – on Wednesday at 1:00 PM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

“We know for a fact that it’s a short series. The mindset of our team was very important to get Game 1. We should not look at the results right away; let the results take care of themselves,” Dimaunahan added.

Pingol led NU with a near-double-double performance, registering 18 points, nine rebounds, three steals, two assists, and one block.

Camille Clarin added 12 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals, but turned the ball over seven times.

Angel Surada contributed nine points, five rebounds, three assists, and one block, while Pagdulagan finished with nine points and five rebounds.

Fabruada also helped with eight points, nine rebounds, four assists, and one steal.

UAAP87-WBB-Kent-Pastrana-3125 NU edges UST in Game 1, moves on verge of reclaiming UAAP Women's Basketball crown Basketball News NU UAAP UST  - philippine sports news

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

On the other hand, UST will look to equalize and force a do-or-die Game 3 in their quest to retain the crown.

The Tigresses came sprinting out of the gates, leading by 10 to end the opening frame. That would get as high as 14 points, 51-37, after an Agatha Bron triple with 7:19 left in the third canto.

#ReadMore  CJ Perez hailed as first-ever PBA PC Rookie of the Month

However, the NU five would rally, eventually leading to the frenetic end of the contest.

Pastrana, the reigning UAAP Athlete of the Year, led UST with 22 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Meanwhile, Brigette Santos contributed 12 points, three rebounds, three steals, and two assists.

Tacatac, limited to eight points on 3-of-9 shooting, still added three assists, two steals, and two rebounds.

Soriano had seven points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals but struggled with 3-of-12 shooting.

Maglupay nearly posted a double-double, finishing with seven points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks.


The Scores:

NU (72) Pingol 18, Clarin 12, Surada 9, Pagdulagan 9, Fabruada 8, Betanio 6, Konateh 6, Cayabyab 3, Canuto 1, Villanueva 0, Solis 0.

UST (71) – Pastrana 22, Santos 12, Tacatac 8, Soriano 7, Maglupay 7, Ambos 7, Bron 6, Sierba 2, Danganan 0, Serrano 0.

Quarterscores: 16-26, 37-46, 57-57, 72-71.

Written By

A dreamer from Marikina, a reporter on the sidelines


You May Also Like

ADMU

JERRIEMY Biton delivered a crucial goal as defending champion Far Eastern University-Diliman reclaimed its place atop the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Football...

ADMU

Far Eastern University-Diliman and National University-Nazareth School secured the first two semifinal slots in the UAAP Season 87 High School Girls’ Beach Volleyball Tournament...

ADMU

University of Santo Tomas opened its quest for a third consecutive girls’ title by taking the early lead in the UAAP Season 87 high...

AdU

There are eight universities in the ongoing UAAP Season 87 High School Boys Basketball Tournament, but only Adamson University can lay claim to being...

Football

Even before the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Football Tournament kicked off last Saturday, University of Santo Tomas standout Joshua Moleje had already...

Basketball

Jeff Napa, a true National University lifer, has firmly established himself among the UAAP juniors greats after leading the Bullpups to three titles in...

Basketball

University of Santo Tomas head coach Manu Iñigo had nothing but praise for Senegalese forward Racine Kane, who led the Tiger Cubs to a...

Football

When PAREF Southridge School stepped onto the pitch at the UP Diliman Football Stadium to open the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Football...

Advertisement