National University tallied its 13th consecutive win after overcoming De La Salle University, 72-63, in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
With the victory, NU moves on the cusp of an outright Finals berth.
This win proved sweeter than usual as the Lady Bulldogs finally exorcised the ghost of their past. They avenged a heartbreaking loss at the same UST venue where the Lady Archers ended their nine-year, 108-game losing streak on November 23, 2022.
Should NU overcome also-ran Far Eastern University, it will achieve its seventh elimination round sweep in nine seasons.
The team would also earn its first elimination-round sweep since Season 82 in 2019.
“We’re happy na hindi nangyari yung nangyari dati. Same venue – I just don’t remember if same jersey color, pero I’m really happy kasi we were not really making our shots from the outside,” Lady Bulldogs head coach Aris Dimaunahan said.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Every time we play here, we cannot find our mark in terms of shooting from beyond the arc. Pero there were times na when we needed it the most, naka-shoot kami,” added the former Blackwater head coach as NU shot just 8-of-35 from deep.
After trailing by as much as eight points in the first period, NU was able to tie the game at a 20-all deadlock. It blasted La Salle with a 13-4 run – highlighted by seven straight points from rookie standout Cielo Pagdulagan – to take a comfortable 33-24 cushion at the half.
That surge proved to be all the momentum the Lady Bulldogs needed as they further extended their lead to 15 points, 56-41, with a strong 26-17 third-quarter showing.
A late triple by Camile Clarin and an inside hit from Ann Pingol gave NU a commanding 63-47 lead in the payoff period to solidify its 13th straight win and repeat its 64-49 first-round beatdown of La Salle last September 8.
“It’s a welcome development again for us na somehow, today, our bench has more points than the other school,” Dimaunahan added.
“Last three games kasi namin, talo yung bench namin in scoring. We’re happy today that we finally got what we wanted from the bench.”
With 12 out of 16 Lady Bulldogs scoring, Pagdulagan led the way with 11 points, three rebounds, and one block. Betanio enjoyed an all-around outing with nine points, five rebounds, and five assists.
Gypsy Canuto also tallied nine points to go along with four assists, two rebounds, and two steals.
Meanwhile, Tin Caybayab chipped in nine points, six rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
The Lady Bulldogs aim to complete the elusive elimination round sweep when they clash against the Lady Tamaraws on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
With a game left in their Season 87 campaign, the Lady Archers fell to a 4-8 slate after previously winning their last two outings.
Luisa San Juan paced La Salle with 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals, while Lee Sario tallied 14 points, four rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
Kyla Sunga contributed 12 points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal, while Patricia Mendoza chipped in six points, seven rebounds, and one assist.
The Lady Archers look to end their season on a high note when they face reigning champions UST Growling Tigresses at the same date and venue.
The Scores:
NU (72) – Pagdulagan 11, Betanio 9, Canuto 9, Cayabyab 9, Clarin 8, Surada 7, Pingol 6, Konateh 3, Fabruada 3, Villanueva 3, Solis 2, Ico 2, Pring 0, Alterado 0, Garcia 0, Talas 0.
DLSU (63) – San Juan 19, Sario 14, Sunga 12, Mendoza 6, Bacierto 4, Paraiso 4, Binaohan 2, Dalisay 2, Dela Paz 0.
Quarterscores: 9-15, 33-24, 56-41, 72-63.
