Cielo Pagdulagan and Tin Cayabyab powered National University to a 79-65 victory over the Victoria Select Team, securing a spot in the crossover semifinals of the 2025 BLIA Cup University Basketball Invitational on Friday morning, July 4, at the Fengshan Sports Arena in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
The dynamic duo’s all-around performance lifted the Lady Bulldogs — bronze medalists in last year’s edition — to a second straight semifinal appearance, guaranteeing them a top-four finish for the second consecutive year.
Cayabyab spearheaded the charge for the reigning UAAP Women’s Basketball champions with 21 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
Pagdulagan, the Season 87 Rookie of the Year, added 19 points on an efficient 8-of-14 clip, along with five rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
NU also clinched the top seed in Pool B after sweeping the group stage with a perfect 3-0 record, which included earlier wins against the University of Taipei and Shih Hsin University.
After trailing 42-48 in the third quarter, the Lady Bulldogs erupted with a 19-0 run, fueled by Pagdulagan, Cayabyab, Aloha Betanio, and Daniella Alterado. That momentum swing gave NU a commanding 61-48 lead heading into the final frame.
The Victoria Select Team tried to claw back, cutting the deficit to 61-53, but Cayabyab, Alterado, and Margarett Villanueva responded with a 13-3 spurt that restored a 74-56 cushion with 4:41 left on the clock.
Still fighting, the Australians uncorked a quick 7-0 rally—capped by a three-pointer from Mica Nightingale — to pull within 11, 74-63.
But Pagdulagan put the finishing touches on the game, scoring on a layup and draining a dagger triple to seal NU’s sweep and punch their ticket to the semifinals.
The Lady Bulldogs now await their opponent in the crossover semifinals set for Saturday, July 5, at 2:00 PM.
Alterado chipped in 13 points on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting, along with three steals and two rebounds.
Villanueva contributed eight points and three assists off the bench.
With a 1-2 record at the end of the elimination round, the Victoria Select Team now turns its hopes to Shih Hsin University (0-2), needing them to upset the University of Taipei (1-1) to stay in contention for a semifinal berth.
Elisa Brown led the Aussies with 19 points, four assists, and three rebounds, while Nightingale impressed with a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds, plus five assists, three blocks, and one steal.
