Just when Ateneo de Manila University seemed poised to deliver the perfect finishing blow, National University showed what true championship composure looks like.
The Lady Bulldogs denied the Blue Eagles in a thrilling 83-79 victory, securing their fourth straight win in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
NU led 75-64 midway through the fourth quarter, but Ateneo responded with a furious 15-0 run to take a 79-75 lead with 1:52 remaining.
Kai Oani, Camille Malagar, Kacey dela Rosa, and Gracie Batongbakal all contributed to the surge that seemed to stun the Lady Bulldogs — until NU showed why they are defending champions.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“‘Yung 15-0 run na ‘yun stemmed from our eight turnovers during the fourth quarter, which was too much. Those turnovers, all of which, I think, they converted to points. Learning ito from us,” said NU head coach DA Olan.
“We were too relaxed during that stretch, but I’m happy with the composure na pinakita ng seniors namin during the crucial moments, lalo nung lumamang ang Ateneo.”
Instead of collapsing, the Lady Bulldogs persevered. Aloha Betanio broke Ateneo’s run with a floater, while Ann Pingol’s and-one basket over Batongbakal put NU back ahead, 80-79, with 1:05 left.
The next four possessions saw an exchange of turnovers. Sandra Villacruz failed to find her teammates for Ateneo, then Angel Surada couldn’t beat the shot clock for NU and Betanio committed a bad pass.
With 9.6 seconds remaining, Villacruz had a golden chance to regain the lead for the Blue Eagles after being bumped by Tin Cayabyab while driving to the basket in the bonus. She missed both free throws.
Ateneo retained possession thanks to a double-lane violation, but dela Rosa’s drive went awry as her shot went out of bounds. Pingol then iced the game with three consecutive free throws, pushing NU to a 5-1 record for solo second place.
Pingol led an efficient performance for the Lady Bulldogs, converting seven of 10 field goals and draining all eight free throws for 22 points, along with six rebounds and four steals.
Cayabyab added 19 points, five rebounds, and four steals, while Marylene Solis and Marga Villanueva contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Betanio finished with seven points, seven assists, and five rebounds, while Surada impacted the game in other ways despite scoring just five points on 1-of-9 shooting. She added five rebounds, four blocks, four steals, and three assists.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, Ateneo suffered its second straight loss after opening the season with four wins, dropping to third place.
Dela Rosa led the Blue Eagles with 18 points, 16 rebounds, and four assists, while Oani added 17 points and four rebounds. Batongbakal, Malagar, and Sarah Makanjuola each scored 12 points in the defeat.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday in an all-women’s slate at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. NU will finish the first round against University of the East at 12:00 PM, while Ateneo opens the day at 8:00 AM against Far Eastern University.
The Scores:
NU (83) – Pingol 22, Cayabyab 19, Solis 12, Villanueva 11, Betanio 7, D. Medina 6, Surada 5, Pring 1, S. Medina 0, Canindo 0, Garcia 0, Alterado 0.
Ateneo (79) – Dela Rosa 18, Oani 17, Batongbakal 12, Malagar 12, Makanjuola 12, Villacruz 3, De Luna 3, Cancio 2, Cruza 0, Lopez 0.
Quarterscores: 28-24, 43-36, 66-56, 83-79
