National University settled for a silver-medal finish in the 2025 BLIA Cup University Basketball Invitational after falling to Japan Women’s College of Physical Education, 77–68, in the winner-take-all championship game held Sunday afternoon at the Fengshan Sports Arena in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
The loss dashed NU’s historic bid to become the first Philippine collegiate women’s basketball program to win the prestigious tournament.
It also ended their quest to join De La Salle University (2017) and University of the Philippines (2019) as Philippine champions in the BLIA Cup, both of which triumphed in the men’s division.
Despite the heartbreak, the silver-medal finish marked a significant improvement from NU’s third-place campaign in the 2024 edition.
The tournament also served as a key tune-up as the Lady Bulldogs gear up for their title defense in the upcoming UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Above all, the Lady Bulldogs played with heavy hearts and unrelenting spirit, dedicating their campaign to the late Ashlyn Abong, their 18-year-old teammate who passed away last June 27.
Head coach Aris Dimaunahan had promised the team would honor her memory with their performance in Taiwan — a promise they fulfilled with pride and grit.
(C) BLIA Cup
NU trailed by just four, 38–34, at halftime, but JWCPE pulled away with a decisive 22–12 run in the third quarter, establishing a 60–46 lead heading into the final frame.
The Lady Bulldogs attempted to claw back into the game, as Aloha Betanio knocked down a triple and Xyza Pring scored inside to trim the deficit to 68–56 with over four minutes left.
But JWCPE responded swiftly. A five-point burst from Hiyori Shimoi, followed by two free throws from Haruka Okai, restored a 71–56 cushion with three minutes remaining — effectively sealing the title.
Cielo Pagdulagan led NU with 13 points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block. Marylene Solis also scored 13 points and added two rebounds and two steals.
Coming off a 31-point explosion in NU’s previous outing, Tin Cayabyab was held to 11 points on 5-of-10 shooting but still contributed six rebounds and three assists.
Ann Pingol struggled offensively, shooting just 1-of-13 from the field for three points, although she tallied 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks.
JWCPE, meanwhile, capped their campaign with only one loss — handing NU its lone defeat in the process — to clinch the 2025 BLIA Cup crown.
Nari Umemura spearheaded the Japanese squad with 24 points on an efficient 11-of-17 shooting, along with six rebounds, five steals, and two assists. Hiyori Shimoi added 18 points, five assists, and two steals.
Runa Kumeta delivered an all-around performance with 13 points, seven steals, five rebounds, and one assist, while Hibiki Kanno chipped in 10 points, eight rebounds, five steals, and two assists.
