National University completed its first-round sweep of the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament after taking down a resilient Ateneo de Manila University, 66-58, on Saturday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Bulldogs finished the first round undefeated at 7-0, with an average winning margin of 16.85 points.
While most of NU’s victories were blowouts, the games against Ateneo and defending champion University of Santo Tomas were closely contested, with NU winning by single digits.
Despite the sweep, Lady Bulldogs head coach Aris Dimaunahan acknowledged the team’s struggles in this hard-fought match.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“For the first three quarters, all of us were not locked in on what we’re supposed to do. Just glad that during the fourth quarter we got our bearings back and we stayed with the game plan on how to stop Ateneo,” said Dimaunahan.
Kacey Dela Rosa’s long jump shot brought the Blue Eagles within 49-51 with 6:58 remaining, but Pringle Fabruada responded for the Lady Bulldogs, scoring six straight points to extend the lead to 57-49.
Though Sarah Makanjuola and Junize Calago mounted a comeback attempt for Ateneo, NU’s dependable trio of Camille Clarin, Angel Surada, and Ann Pingol stepped up to seal the victory.
Rookie Cielo Pagdulagan led the way for the balanced Lady Bulldogs with 12 points, five rebounds, and three steals. Tin Cayabyab added 11 points and five rebounds.
“Sobrang happy kasi ang goal po talaga namin is matapos ‘yung first round na ito na nasa top pa rin po kami. Siguro kailangan lang namin imaintain yung effort, yung communication sa loob ng court, and yung energy namin kung paano kami naglaro this first round,” said Pagdulagan, a product of National University Nazareth School.
Pingol and Surada contributed 10 points each, while Fabruada and Aloha Betanio chipped in eight and seven points, respectively.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Blue Eagles will enter the second round in solo fourth with a 4-3 record.
Reigning MVP Dela Rosa finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals for Ateneo, marking her seventh double-double of the season.
Calago added 12 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, and five steals, while Nigerian big Makanjuola had nine points, 17 rebounds, and four blocks in a valiant effort.
The Scores:
NU 66 – Pagdulagan 12, Cayabyab 11, Pingol 10, Surada 10, Fabruada 8, Betanio 7, Clarin 4, Konateh 2, Solis 2, Canuto 0, Ico 0, Pring 0, Medina 0.
Ateneo 58 – Dela Rosa 21, Calago 12, Makanjoula 9, Aquirre 5, Oani 4, Villacruz 3, Cancio 2, Batongbakal 2, Angala 0, Cruza 0, Nieves 0.
Quarterscores: 18-13, 28-26, 47-44, 66-58
