National University put on a defensive clinic in the third period, powering its way to a 76-64 victory over University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday afternoon at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
This win sets the stage for a highly anticipated match-up on Saturday at 11:30 AM at the Big Dome, where the Lady Bulldogs will face the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses.
Both teams are unbeaten at 3-0, and the rematch of last year’s Finals promises to be a thrilling showdown.
UST ended NU’s seven-season dynasty in Season 86, making this clash all the more intriguing.
“We never look at the past things already. We move forward and we play UST in the next couple of days – we prepare for them and no emotions. It’s just playing the same basketball that has to be played the right way,” said NU head coach Aris Dimaunahan.
Heading into the second half tied at 41, the Lady Bulldogs refocused after allowing a 15-point second-quarter lead to slip away. They came out of the locker room with renewed intensity, determined not to repeat their earlier mistakes.
NU opened the third quarter with a 16-0 run, courtesy of Aloha Betanio, Pringle Fabruada, and Maymay Canuto, to grab a commanding 57-41 lead.
The Fighting Maroons finally scored their first point of the period – a free throw by Alex Mendoza with 3:02 left.
However, by then, they were already facing an insurmountable deficit. Unlike in the first half, there was no comeback this time.
UP endured a complete scoring drought in the third quarter, going 0-of-10 from the field and managing just two points from the free-throw line, courtesy of Mendoza and Achrissa Maw.
“This game was a game of runs. Luckily yun ngang third quarter namin, we stepped on the gas, we clamped down on defense after the halftime break,” added Dimaunahan.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Fabruada and Betanio, who ignited NU’s decisive run, led the Lady Bulldogs. Fabruada posted 16 points and five rebounds, while Betanio contributed 13 points, four rebounds, four steals, and two assists.
Nineteen-year-old Gambian center Jainaba Konateh also made a strong impact, tallying 12 points, six rebounds, and a steal. Ann Pingol chipped in with two triples to finish with nine points, rounding out NU’s balanced attack.
On the other side, UP, which fell to 1-2, will aim for a rebound on Sunday when they face Far Eastern University at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Christie Bariquit led the Fighting Maroons with 14 points, though 13 of those came in the first half.
Maw added 12 points, three rebounds, three steals, and two blocks, while Kaye Pesquera contributed 10 points and seven rebounds in a valiant effort.
The Scores:
NU 76 – Fabruada 16, Betanio 13, Konateh 12, Pingol 9, Cayabyab 7, Surada 6, Canuto 5, Pagdulangan 4, Clarin 2, Solis 1, Ico 1, Talas 0, Pring 0, Alterado 0.
UP 64 – Bariquit 14, Maw 12, Pesquera 10, Barba 6, Ozar 5, Mendoza 5, Nolasco 4, Jimenez 3, Solitario 3, Vingno 2, Tapawan 0, Lozada 0, Sauz 0, Quinquinio 0.
Quarterscores: 25-12, 41-41, 62-43, 76-64.
