National University weathered Kacey Dela Rosa’s monster double-double to hold off Ateneo de Manila University, 87-77, and score its second straight win in the UAAP Season 89 women’s basketball tournament on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena.
Dela Rosa powered the Blue Eagles with 31 points, 15 rebounds, and five steals. But NU’s balanced attack and hot shooting proved enough to keep Ateneo at bay and preserve its unbeaten start.
The Lady Bulldogs, fresh from their dominant 71-51 drubbing of Adamson University, improved to 2-0 in the standings.
It was a confidence-building win for NU heading into a Finals rematch with new-age rival and defending champion UST next Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“We just have to work on it. Two games na may third quarter na mediyo bumababa. We cannot sustain yung nabui-build namin na lead in the first half,” said second-year head coach DA Olan. “Pero we’re happy na we’re able to pull through this win.”
NU overpowered Ateneo offensively, racing to a 13-point lead in the first quarter before leaning on its outside shooting to take a 47-27 advantage with two minutes left in the second period.
Depth also proved crucial, as the Lady Bulldogs’ bench outscored the Blue Eagles, 17-5, in the first half alone.
While NU maintained its double-digit lead for most of the third quarter, Ateneo fought back with a 14-point swing in the latter part of the period to cut the deficit to six, 64-58.
Dela Rosa continued to carry Ateneo in the fourth quarter, scoring five straight points with less than three minutes remaining to bring the Blue Eagles within three, 78-75. But NU quickly shut down the mini-run, as Marga Villanueva knocked down a three-pointer to restore some breathing room.
Villanueva then hit another triple that proved to be the dagger with just over a minute remaining, while Kristine Cayabyab added another trey to seal the victory.
“I’m confident to take a shot, ‘cause I’m a shooting guard. Tinatrabaho ko din ‘yung tira na ‘yon kaya confident talaga ako,” said the 20-year-old guard of her clutch three-pointers.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Villanueva had a stellar shooting night, scoring 16 points on a 54.5-percent shooting clip while going 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Aloha Betanio finished with 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while 17-year-old Zaydhen Rosano contributed 13 points and five assists. Ann Pingol also notched 12 points and seven rebounds despite fouling out with three minutes left in the third quarter.
Cielo Pagdulagan and Cayabyab rounded out the Lady Bulldogs’ double-digit scorers with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
As a team, the Lady Bulldogs made 13 three-pointers compared to just three for the Blue Eagles.
Seng Calago added 19 points and nine rebounds, while Sarah Makanjuola chipped in 13 points and nine rebounds.
Ateneo will look to end its skid against Far Eastern University at 12:00 PM next Saturday at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
NU 87 – Villanueva 16, Betanio 15, Pingol 12, Pagdulagan 11, Cayabyab 10, Solis 4, Lapasaran 2, Alterado 2, Garcia 2, Alba 0.
Ateneo 77 – Dela Rosa 31, Calago 19, Makanjuola 12, De Luna 4, H. Lopez 3, Subejano 3, Rodriguez 2, Cruza 2, Oani 0, L. Lopez 0, Hagedorn 0.
Quarterscores: 25-14, 49-32, 64-58, 87-77.
