National University moved to a cusp of a first round sweep after easily whipping University of the Philippines, 80-44, in the UAAP Season 78 women’s basketball tournament Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
After a tight first period where the Lady Bulldogs managed to take a 15-7 lead, the Sampaloc-based cagers outscored the Lady Maroons over the next two periods 45-20 to build an insurmountable margin.
All 16 players fielded in by Pat Aquino were able to score in the match and no player logged for more than 20 minutes in another balanced effort.
Gemma Miranda topscored for the Lady Bulldogs with 13 points on 6-for-9 shooting and grabbed 6 rebounds. Afril Bernardino added 12 points while two more Lady Bulldogs had 9 points apiece.
NU, which moved to 6-0, dominated the battle of the boards with a 59-30 edge, including a 25-6 cushion in offensive rebounds which led to a 22-5 lead in second chance points.
The Lady Bulldogs also generated 22 points off 25 Lady Maroons turnovers, and outran the latter with an 18-0 shutout in fastbreak points.
In spite of the loss, there are positives to take away from the game for the 0-6 Lady Maroons, like efficient shooting touch from the outside (6-for-17 three-pointers) and assisting 12 of 16 field goal makes.
Janeena Tatel had 12 points for the Diliman side even as Christine Isip contributed 11 points including three triples.
The Scores:
NU (80) – Miranda 13, Bernardino 12, Gupilan 9, Abriam 9, Itesi 6, Riel 6, Animam 5, Antiquera 5, Sison 4, Paig 3, Harada 2, Layug 2, Tongco 1, Reyes 1, Del Carmen 1, Nabalan 1.
UP (44) – Tatel 12, Isip 11, Oliva 10, Medina 4, Esplana 4, Ordoveza 2, Daez 1, Rodas 0, Pesquera 0, Eder 0, Franco 0, Lapid 0, Cruz 0, Tan 0, Erquiaga 0.
Quarterscores: 15-7, 33-16, 60-27, 80-44.
