Fifty straight victories
Only a few teams can say that they have achieved that feat. In recent memory, there’s the Adamson University Softball Team, and now the National University Women’s Basketball Team.
In a streak that has spanned four seasons and three consecutive championships, the Lady Bulldogs have proven to everyone that they are the best women’s basketball team in the Philippines. Bar none.
Making it much sweeter was that win number 50 came at the expense of last season’s fellow finalists, the De La Salle University Lady Archers, 77-56.
And the architect of this success has been coach Patrick Aquino.
The University of the Philippines alumnus took over in 2012. Before then, the Lady Bulldogs constantly struggled to reach the post-season.
A year after taking over, Aquino led the Lady Bulldogs to a finals appearance, where they succumbed to the Lady Archers. Nevertheless, the defeat became a stepping stone, as NU won the next three championships.
“I’m just happy not for me but for the school itself na from nothing before five years ago, six years ago,” reflected Aquino.
“We had this program and we’d like to continue it on and hopefully it will be a longer streak in the end.”
But beyond racking up the wins and seizing gold, Aquino’s program has also developed future national team stars like Marizze Andrea Tongco, Afril Bernardino, Gemma Miranda, and Jack Animam.
“The thing is the program is with the support of the school, everybody. That’s where the program starts talaga,” shared Aquino.
“After that, it’s all the girls’ work.”
While 50 straight wins is an milestone in itself, the target of the Lady Bulldogs still remains the same: defend their crown.
The three-time UAAP champion is not one to rest on his laurels and will no doubt remind the girls of that goal.
“We’ll just take it one game at a time. I just want to have that effort from the girls every day, every practice that we have. Once I see them working really hard, it’s gonna be easy for them in the game,” said Aquino.
“They have to be prepared every time.”
