NU withstands UST, extends win streak to 99 in UAAP women’s basketball
NU’s Camille Clarin. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — National University salvaged its historic winning run as it fended off University of Santo Tomas, 78-75, to go 3-0 in the UAAP Women’s Basketball Tournament, Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Growling Tigresses gave the six-time defending champions a huge scare as Nikki Villasin’s triple and Eka Soriano’s two free throws capped a 10-2 run to trim the deficit to three, 72-75, with 25.3 seconds remaining.
Camille Clarin gave the Lady Bulldogs a breather, sinking two from the line, 77-72. But Tacky Tacatac refused to give up, hitting a try, 75-77, with 10.7 seconds to play.
UST gave up a foul on Angel Surada, who made her first free throw but missed the second, as NU dodged a bullet when Joylyn Pangilinan missed a potential game-tying heave.
“I thought UST came in with a lot of fight today. They gave us a hard time. But again credit to my girls for staying the game and eventually winning the game,” said NU coach Aris Dimaunahan, whose team won its 99th straight game.
Karl Pingol propelled the Lady Bulldogs, scoring nine of her 14 points in the first half. Clarin delivered 13 points and six assists but committed six turnovers, while Surada had a clutch performance, pouring seven of her 11 markers in the fourth quarter.
NU aims to become the first UAAP team to reach 100 straight wins against University of the Philippines (2-1) on Wednesday, 3 pm, at UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Soriano flirted with a triple-double with 18 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists including three steals Tacatac and Pangilinan had 18 and 12 markers, respectively.
UST, which dropped to 2-1, seeks to bounce back against Ateneo (1-2) on Wednesday at 1 pm.
La Salle Lady Archers. –UAAP PHOTO
Meanwhile, Lee Sario poured 11 of her 19 points in the fourth quarter as La Salle beat Ateneo, 75-67, for its second win in three matches to tie UST in second place.
The Blue Eagles gave the Lady Archers a late scare, 70-67, but Sario put on the finishing touches for La Salle and also finished with 11 rebounds.
Fina Niantcho also delivered for La Salle with 13 points and 10 boards, while Charmine Torres tallied 10 points, six assists, five rebounds, and five steals.
“For us, it’s about pride. Again, we can lose to any team but we don’t want to lose to Ateneo maybe because I was from an era that it was the thing,” said La Salle coach Cholo Villanueva.
La Salle, which holds a 2-1 record, battles University of the East (0-3) on Wednesday.
Ateneo rookie Kacey Dela Rosa posted 21 points and 14 rebounds, while Jhazmin Joson had 14 points, nine assists, four boards, and four steals as the Blue Eagles dropped to 1-2, tied with Far Eastern University and Adamson.
The Scores:
First Game:
NU 78 – Pingol 14, Clarin 13, Surada 11, Canuto 9, Cacho 8, Betanio 8, Cayabyab 5, Tiky 4, Fabruada 2, Bartolo 2, Villareal 2, Solis 0, Talas 0.
UST 75 – Soriano 18, Tacatac 18, Pangilinan 12, Villasin 7, Dionisio 6, Ambos 6, Bron 5, Santos 2, Villapando 1, Araza 0, Serrano 0.
Quarters: 22-11, 39-29, 58-49, 78-75.
Second Game:
DLSU 75 – Sario 19, Niantcho 13, Torres 12, Binaohan 10, Dela Paz 6, Arciga 5, Ahmed 4, Dalisay 3, Espinas 2, Jimenez 1, Camba 0.
Ateneo 67 – Dela Rosa 21, Joson 14, Miranda 9, Eufemiano 8, Calago 7, Nieves 6, Makanjuola 2, Jajurie 0, Villacruz 0, Gino-Gino 0.
