Minus spotlight, Lady Bulldogs eye unbeaten run

Away from the limelight of men’s hoops, Pat Aquino’s National University Lady Bulldogs continue their historic trek in the UAAP.

“You just have to be ready,” said Aquino as his unbeaten Lady Bulldogs seek a fifth straight women’s championship. “We just have to practice well, talk to the kids, and sacrifice, sacrifice a lot.”

Together with NU stalwart and national team player Jack Animam, Aquino and Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga shared their thoughts about the coming UAAP Finals Tuesday at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at Tapa King Restaurant, Farmers Plaza, Cubao.

Both teams are currently waiting for their championship opponent.

Ateneo will face the winner of the knockout match between Adamson and University of the Philippines on Wednesday.

The Lady Bulldogs will tangle with the winner between Far Eastern U and University of Santo Tomas in the stepladder phase of the women’s side.

Even more amazing about Aquino’s NU?

They’re on a 78-game winning streak—the longest in any sport in the UAAP—and clinching the title will only add to that record.

Animam, one of three NU players who are undefeated so far in their collegiate careers, celebrated her birthday on Tuesday, but that didn’t keep her from joining the team in practice.

“Of course, we want to be champions again so all the hard work we put in this year will bear fruit,” she said.

The Lady Bulldogs haven’t been idle while waiting for their Finals opponent.

They played tuneup games against a Taiwanese squad.

“It’s a good thing we have friends from Taiwan coming in. It was good practice games in preparation for the coming championship,” said Aquino.