Perfection is still sweet the fourth time around.
National University annexed its fourth straight title in the women’s basketball division, pulling off a come-from-behind 79-68 victory over University of the East Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum to win the UAAP Season 80 championship.
Completing another perfect season, the Lady Bulldogs of coach Pat Aquino also extended their winning streak to 64 wins as they continued to dominate the women’s division.
But the win didn’t come easy this time as the Lady Warriors started out of the gates scorching to take a 12-point lead in the second quarter.
In what could possibly be the toughest test in its reign, NU went to Rhena Itesi as she caught fire in the second half and triggered the telling 10-1 run to take the 66-60 lead with 3:18 to play.
Janet Sison then put on the finishing touches for the Lady Bulldogs and scored all of her seven points in the final 1:17 to seal the title.
Finals MVP Trixie Antiquiera paced NU with 19 points on a 6-of-9 shooting from threes, and two rebounds in her swansong, while the Congolese Itesi got 11 of her 15 markers in the fourth period, on top of 13 boards, and two blocks.
Ria Nabalan added 14 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while Season 80 MVP Jack Animam chimed in nine markers, but hauled down 23 boards.
It was a sorry defeat for UE, which made it to its first Finals appearance in the women’s division in 49 years.
Ruthlaine Tacula shot 4-of-5 from threes and wound up with 25 points and 12 rebounds, while Eunique Chan had 19 markers, three boards, and two assists in the losing cause.
The Scores:
NU 79 – Antiquiera 19, Itesi 15, Nabalan 14, Animam 9, Sison 7, Harada 7, Del Carmen 6, Ano-os 2, Camelo 0, Cacho 0.
UE 68 – Tacula 25, Chan 19, Francisco 6, Sto. Domingo 5, Requiron 5, Ramos 4, Cortizano 2, Gayacao 2.
Quarters: 13-16, 33-35, 51-54, 79-68.