Though playing short-handed, the result was still the same for the three-time defending champions National University Lady Bulldogs, as they took a 79-58 win, Wednesday morning at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The win moves the Lady Bulldogs to a clean 13-0 slate, their 61st straight victory overall. In addition, NU are just one win away from notching their fourth straight elimination round sweep.
“It feels good to be back after that suspension,” quipped NU head coach Patrick Aquino, who was suspended during NU’s 76-35 win over UP last Saturday. “I’m proud of them because they played hard during our last game. Hopefully, in our last game against UE, we play better.”
However, compared to their past games that saw him play at least 12 players, Aquino only had a short rotation in this tilt, playing just nine student-athletes.
“[Janet] Sison’s injured, [Venz] Tenesa is also injured. Ria [Nabalan’s] hurting as well. So medyo konte lang yung rotation natin. But as far as I’m concerned, they just need to be ready,” shared Aquino.
After missing their last game, Ria Nabalan did not miss a step, finishing with 17 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Floor general Cherry Ano-os finished with her season-high 10 points.
But the Lady Bulldogs needed to impose their will on the skidding Tigresses, as they struggled from the field. With their outside shots not falling, NU pounced in the paint while forcing UST to foul them.
The Lady Bulldogs shot just 33 percent from the field, but went 24-for-34 from the foul stripe. In contrast, the Growling Tigresses attempted just seven free throws.
Je-Anne Camelo finished with 15 points off the bench, while Jack Animam added 14 points, 16 rebounds, and three swats.
NU led by as much as 26 points in the contest, 69-43, after a Nabalan find to a cutting Trixie Antiquera with 8:38 remaining.
UST fell to 10-4, dropping their last two games for the round. The Growling Tigresses will enter the playoffs as the third seed.
Sai Larosa scored a game-high 20 poitns to go along with nine rebounds. Jhenn Angeles added 12 poitns and 10 rebounds but committed six errors.
“First game-jitters yun. We’ll just go out there and play our game. We know that UE is getting ready for us so we need to be more ready than them,” vowed the decorated tactician.
NU take on the University of the East Lady Warriors on Saturday, November 11, in their final assignment for the round. And Aquino is not letting his guard down for the game, as the two squads figured in an overtime thriller to start the season.
The Scores:
NU (79) – Nabalan 17, Camelo 15, Animam 14, Ano-os 10, Itesi 8, Del Carmen 6, Cacho 5, Antiquera 2, Harada 2.
UST (58) – Larosa 20, Angeles 12, Sanggalang 8, Anies 7, Penaflor 4, Gandalla 3, Rivera 2, Portillo 2, Aujero 0, Manuel 0, Capilit 0, Magat 0, Isanan 0.
Quarterscores: 17-11, 39-24, 66-42, 79-58.
