Ann Pingol, Tin Cayabyab, and Cielo Pagdulagan combined for 60 points to lead National University to a dominant 83-67 victory over Shih Hsin University, moving a step closer to the semifinals of the 2025 BLIA Cup University Basketball Invitational on Thursday at the Fengshan Sports Arena in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Pingol spearheaded the Lady Bulldogs’ charge with a stellar all-around performance, finishing with 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting, along with nine rebounds, six steals, and four assists.
Cayabyab, entering her senior year, also delivered a double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds. Meanwhile, Pagdulagan added 17 points and eight boards as NU climbed to the top of Pool B with a 2-0 record.
NU now looks to secure a semifinal berth when it faces the Victoria Select Team (1-1) at 10 a.m. tomorrow.
Shih Hsin kept the game close until midway through the second quarter, staying within a point, 32-33.
But NU shifted gears and broke the game wide open with a decisive 10-0 run, courtesy of Pingol, Cayabyab, Pagdulagan, and Aloha Betanio, giving the Lady Bulldogs a 43-32 lead.
The Taiwanese squad never recovered from the momentum shift as NU maintained control for the rest of the game.
Yeh Hsin led Shih Hsin with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Lin Zi Tung chipped in 15 points and four assists. Li Ying Chieh and Wang I Ju also scored 10 points each in the loss, which dropped SHU to 0-2.
Meanwhile, University of the Philippines ended its Pool A campaign winless after a 70-81 loss to the Malaysian National Team.
Achrissa Maw and Camille Nolasco led the Fighting Maroons with 12 and 11 points, respectively, while Marielle Vingno, Alliyah Castro, and Blessing Francis contributed nine points apiece in the losing effort.
UP had earlier suffered defeats at the hands of Japan Women’s College of Physical Education and Fo Guang University.
Tan Sin Jie led Malaysia with 22 points, five assists, and four rebounds. Elaine Chong Hui Lin added 18 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while Erica Ng Mun Shuen chipped in 13 points.
