NU’s semis hopes ends at hands of Nagoya Gakuin

After absorbing a narrow loss to the University of Northern Colorado in overtime the other day, the five-time UAAP champions National University were eager to bounce back.

Despite the gallant stand from the Lady Bulldogs, they could not upset the Nagoya Gakuin University, falling 74-89, Thursday evening at the ongoing 2019 2019 Buddha’s Light International Association Cup in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

With Northern Colorado’s win over National Taiwan Normal University earlier, the Lady Bulldogs could no longer advance to the semis.

NU kept the scoring close in the two middle quarters to stay within striking distance, but the strong start from the Japanese proved enough separation.

UAAP 81 Most Valuable Jack Aminam was instrumental in the Bulldogs’ comeback attempt that put them down by just 11 from as high as 17 at the start of the period.

The big man got her own miss and got the basket to get the scoreboard at 68-57 for NGU. Nonetheless, the Japanese side countered with a 5-0 run and never looked back to take the win.

Animam had 23 points and 12 rebounds while Lamama Kapinga added 25 markers and 10 boards.

Rhena Itesi added 16 points and nine rebounds.

Shiori Kobayashi powered Nagoya Gakuin with 24 points built on three triples. Rikakou Kayou and Ayana Nakayama chipped in 15 and 14 markers, respectively.

NU plays its ultimate game in the tournament on Friday, July 19 against NTNU.

The Scores:

NU 74 – Kapinga 25, Animam 23, Itesi 16, Pingol 6, Surada 5, Camelo 3, Del Carmen 3, Canuto 2, Clarin 1, Fabruada 0, Harada 0.

NGU 89 – Kobayashi 24, Kayou 15, Nakayama 14, Inamine 11, Yano 9, Maeda 8, Hasyimoto 6, Rokkasho 2, Miyazaki 0, Okamura 0.

Quarterscores: 16-26, 37-49, 51-68, 74-89.