National University strengthened its dominance over Adamson University with a wire-to-wire 72-53 victory, extending its win streak to 12 games in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
This victory secured the Lady Bulldogs a twice-to-beat advantage if a traditional Final Four format is implemented in the postseason.
Gunning for their seventh elimination sweep in nine seasons, NU is preparing to face De La Salle University and Far Eastern University in its final elimination round games.
“We’ll continue to stay in the present. I always tell this na we do not look too far ahead of us. We take it a day and a game at a time. This game is done and over with, but tomorrow, we’ll start ulit to work and to achieve the sweep,” NU head coach Aris Dimaunahan said.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Lady Bulldogs were powered by Marga Villanueva, Gypsey Canuto, and Angelica Surada, who led a 19-11 second-quarter run against the Lady Falcons to build a commanding 46-28 lead at halftime.
NU maintained control throughout the game, establishing a game-high 24-point lead in the final quarter, 72-48, highlighted by consecutive baskets from Camille Clarin, Ann Pingol, Tin Cayabyab, and Canuto.
This win further emphasized the Lady Bulldogs’ mastery over the Lady Falcons, echoing their 74-52 first-round victory on September 25.
“We know for a fact that today [Adamson] aspired to be the team that would dent our record this season. We know that coming into this game, so we took care of business early,” Dimaunahan added.
Ann Pingol led NU with 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, and one block, while Villanueva contributed 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting and one steal.
Canuto orchestrated the offense with nine points, six assists, two rebounds, and one steal. Meanwhile, Surada nearly posted a double-double with nine points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
NU aims to move within reach of an elimination round sweep when it faces La Salle on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena. It will then conclude its elimination campaign against Far Eastern University on Saturday.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, Adamson’s pursuit of the second seed suffered a setback, dropping to an 8-4 record, two games behind University of Santo Tomas.
Cheska Apag led the Lady Falcons with 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting, along with four rebounds, one assist, and one steal, while Kim Limbago contributed seven points, six rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
Elaine Etang was limited to six points on 3-of-15 shooting, adding three rebounds, two assists, and two steals despite four turnovers.
Kem Adeshina had four points, six rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
Adamson will face a crucial match-up against UST in a virtual battle for the second seed on Saturday, November 16, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Scores:
NU (72) – Pingol 12, Villanueva 10, Canuto 9, Surada 9, Clarin 8, Konateh 7, Fabruada 6, Betanio 4, Cayabyab 3, Pagdulagan 2, Solis 2, Pring 0, Alterado 0, Ico 0, Talas 0.
AdU (53) – Apag 18, Limbago 7, Alaba 7, Etang 6, Adeshina 4, Ornopia 4, Alaba 3, Agojo 2, Bajo 2, Padilla 0, Mazo 0, Manlimos 0, Meniano 0.
Quarterscores: 27-17, 46-28, 59-41, 72-53.
