The rivalry between National University and University of Santo Tomas extended into UAAP Season 87 when the two teams met again in the best-of-three Finals.
The Lady Bulldogs, once a dynasty with seven consecutive UAAP women’s basketball championships, had their reign broken by the Growling Tigresses in Season 86.
But National U fought back this season, reclaiming the title it lost last year with a 78-73 victory over UST in Game 3 on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Though seniors like Camille Clarin for the Lady Bulldogs and Tacky Tacatac for the Growling Tigresses are set to depart, the rivalry is expected to continue for the next few seasons – fueled by sensational rookies Cielo Pagdulagan of NU and Karylle Sierba of UST.
The two newcomers became the center of attention in the winner-take-all decider, leading their respective squads.
Pagdulagan led the Lady Bulldogs with 21 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals, while Sierba contributed 20 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“I’m very happy kasi nagkaharap kami ni Sierba dito. Since high school, yung pride ko at yung pride ng mga kasabayan ko talagang level up pagdating sa UST. Gusto namin talaga maging mas competitive yung laban namin,” said Pagdulagan.
Before joining their college programs, the two had already been rivals during their high school years. Pagdulagan was with NU Nazareth School, while Sierba played for UST High School.
The two teams battled for supremacy in all the leagues they joined.
In both Seasons 85 and 86, Pagdulagan’s Lady Bullpups and Sierba’s Junior Tigresses met in the Finals of the High School Girls’ 3×3 tournament, with NU Nazareth School emerging victorious both times.
“Simula umpisa naman talaga kami talaga ‘yung nagtatapat niyan ni Cielo. Friend ko rin naman siya, sobrang proud din ako sa kanya. Deserve niya ‘yun. Alam na ni Cielo ‘yun nag-uusap naman kami,” said Sierba.
“Babawi kami sa next season. Kami kami pa rin naman magtatapat.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Pagdulagan’s success continued at the collegiate level as she bagged both the Rookie of the Year award and the Finals MVP.
That just added fuel for Sierba to work harder and help UST reclaim the crown.
“Siyempre dagdag motivation sa akin yun,” said the UST rookie.
“Kailangan ko pang magtrabaho. Magtrabaho lang talaga para yun nga, hindi naman madali para sa akin ito. So sobrang kailangan ko lang talaga magtrabaho.”
