Ann Pingol and Angel Surada did not get the ending they had hoped for in their final year with National University, falling to University of Santo Tomas in the title series of the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament.
The Growling Tigresses dethroned the Lady Bulldogs in the winner-take-all Game 3, claiming a 79-64 victory on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena to secure their 13th title overall and second in three seasons.
While they can no longer bounce back as Lady Bulldogs, Pingol and Surada aim to channel their frustration into their next challenge with Gilas Pilipinas Women at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
“Doon na lang siguro kami babawi,” said Season 88 MVP Pingol after Game 3.
“Doon, hindi na UAAP, Pilipinas na ‘yung dala namin so ‘yung effort na ginagawa namin dito dodoblehin pa namin sa SEA Games,” she added.
Despite having only 10 players, Gilas Women have advanced to the semifinals of the biennial competition after sweeping Group B, defeating Malaysia (76-67) and Singapore (92-59).
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Pingol and Surada will fly to Thailand on Monday morning to complete the national team, which will play in the semifinals on Thursday.
Surada shared Pingol’s mindset while also expressing her eagerness to learn from the more experienced members of Gilas.
“Onto the next lang palagi ang mentality. After this loss, ibang laban naman ito. Doon kasi sa Gilas hindi ako senior, so may mga senior ako na nilu-look up sila Ate Afril (Bernardino),” said Surada.
The NU duo will strengthen the national team’s lean big rotation alongside Kacey Dela Rosa and Afril Bernardino.
Although their last season in the UAAP ended in heartbreak, they remain proud of the Lady Bulldogs’ accomplishments, especially given the challenges they faced, including competing without Season 87 Rookie of the Year and Finals MVP Cielo Pagdulagan due to illness.
“Nothing to be ashamed of kasi umabot pa rin kami ng Finals, something we did not expect starting the season kasi nga sa dami ng nangyari. Proud ako sa pinakita ng mga teammates ko,” said Surada, who will leave NU as a two-time 5-on-5 champion and one-time 3×3 winner.
“Sobrang proud pa rin ako sa teammates ko especially kay coach DA na nag-step up para maging head coach namin. Hindi man ito yung gusto namin pero lumaban kami, nakita namin na lahat ginawa namin para makarating sa Finals,” added Pingol.
#WATCH: After experiencing heartbreak in #UAAPSeason88, Ann Pingol vows to use it as motivation for #SEAGames2025#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/kcKKhywxv5
📹 Justin Valencia/Tiebreaker Times #LabanPilipinas pic.twitter.com/lFQ1vzszBD
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) December 14, 2025
