NATIONAL UNIVERSITY maintained its undefeated run in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament with a 103-48 rout of struggling University of the East squad on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Despite missing Angel Surada due to a minor injury, the Lady Bulldogs easily clinched their ninth straight win and a playoff spot, remaining at the top of the eight-team league and extending their winning streak over the Lady Warriors to 28 games.
The 55-point blowout marked the largest margin of victory in the women’s division since NU’s 92-31 thrashing of UE in Season 85 on November 13, 2022.
“We never look at any teams in the UAAP kung ano standing nila, we always respect kung sino ang kalaban namin and we always put a premium to our preparation,” said NU head coach Aris Dimaunahan. “Part of the challenge sa team namin is how we start the game, and today I thought that our starters responded very well to the challenge.”
The Lady Bulldogs immediately asserted their dominance, racing to a 29-2 start and holding the Lady Warriors to single digits in the first quarter, securing a 24-point lead right out of the gate. NU’s well-rounded play fueled this first-quarter surge as they shot an impressive 12-of-16 from the field while limiting UE to a mere 4-of-13 on 30.8 percent shooting.
A dominant third quarter sealed NU’s ninth straight win, with a 27-7 scoring run that stretched their lead to 51 points, 83-32, entering the fourth.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Relying on their depth, the Lady Bulldogs kept their unblemished record with a commanding 56-16 advantage in bench points.
“Every piece and every player is important. They value the minutes given to them regardless kung ilan man ‘yon and that’s a statement of how committed we are as a team and our players as well, how willingly they absorb and embrace the roles given to them,” Dimaunahan added.
Camille Clarin led five Lady Bulldogs in double figures, tallying 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting, along with two rebounds, two assists, and a steal in under 16 minutes, while Ann Pingol contributed 12 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a block.
All players logged under 20 minutes. Jainaba Konateh added 12 points with four rebounds and a steal, while Tin Cayabyab posted 11 points, four rebounds, and four assists as NU replicated its 67-39 first-round victory over UE last September 28.
Rookie Cielo Pagdulagan, who played the most minutes at 19:21, rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points and five boards.
The Lady Bulldogs will look to extend their winning streak and notch a tenth consecutive victory when they face the UP Fighting Maroons on Sunday, Nov. 3, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Lady Warriors, meanwhile, fell to last place with a 1-8 record, suffering their fifth straight loss. UE’s last victory over NU dates back to UAAP Season 71 (2008), when they swept the elimination round.
Jearzy Ganade led UE with 17 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while Malienne center Kamba Kone chipped in nine points, seven rebounds, and a steal.
The Lady Warriors will aim to end their five-game skid when they take on the Adamson Lady Falcons on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the same venue.
The Scores:
NU (103) – Clarin 16, Pingol 12, Fabruada 12, Konateh 12, Cayabyab 11, Pagdulagan 10, Pring 9, Betanio 7, Solis 5, Villanueva 3, Canuto 2, Alterado 2, Ico 2, Talas 0.
UE (48) – Ganade 17, Kone 9, Vacalares 7, Ronquillo 6, Cruz 5, Lacayanga 2, Yanez 2, Buscar 0, Guillim 0, Ruiz 0, Gomez 0, Delig 0, Dalguntas 0.
Quarterscores: 32-8, 56-25, 83-32, 103-48
