National University bagged win no. 90 with a 75-56 victory over Adamson University, Saturday in the UAAP Season 82 Women’s Basketball Tournament at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Rhena Itesi was the rock at the center for the Lady Bulldogs with 22 points, 18 rebounds, and a block. NU remain unscathed this season at 10-0, further extending its already-historic winning streak.
Kaye Pingol also chipped in 17 points, five steals, four boards, three assists, and one block. Meanwhile, Angel Surada scored all of her 10 points in the fourth quarter pull-away, while also hauling down three rebounds.
Still, coach Pat Aquino feels that his wards can play better despite this 19-point win.
“There are things that we have to do more for us to be consistent in everything that we do. That’s the part that I’m sad of, that we can’t do things that we ought to dominate or get an advantage of,” he said.
“Yes, may times na bumababa ang laro namin, and it’s gonna be rough ’cause everybody wants to defeat us. Pero minsan nawawala ‘yung focus namin na we still have to work hard for it para hindi mawala ‘yung record.”
NU committed 25 turnovers and missed a number of box-outs. Adamson also grabbed 23 offensive rebounds in the duel, which kept them within striking distance up to the third frame.
But the Lady Bulldogs eventually trampled over the Lady Falcons, with Surada’s breakaway layup putting them up by 24, 75-51 late in the contest.
The loss ended Adamson’s two-game win run to drop to a 6-4 record.
Kat Araja powered the Lady Falcons with 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals, while Lhyn Bilbao got herself 13 points and nine boards in the defeat.
The Scores:
NU 75 — Itesi 22, Pingol 17, Surada 10, Animam 5, Cac 5, Hayes 5, Harada 3, Canuto 2, Clarin 2, Del Carmen 2, Fabruada 2, Bartolo 0, Cacho 0, Goto 0.
ADU 56 — Araja 16, Bilbao 13, Flor 6, Prado 6, Dampios 5, Catulong 4, Balane 3, Anticamara 2, Ea. Alaba 1, Mendoza 0, Ornopia 0.
Quarterscores: 20-14, 40-27, 57-44, 75-56.
