NU Lady Bulldogs’s Kristine Cayabyab. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Kristine Cayabyab exploded for 27 points to give National University a 6-0 record and a 102nd straight victory after pounding La Salle, 93-72, in the UAAP Season 85 women’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at Quadricentennial Pavillion.
Cayabyab shot 10-of-20 shooting and tallied eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals, stepping up in the absence of Ann Pingol due to fever.
“We kinda started slow. We missed the services of Ann Pingol but the other guys stepped up and contributed really well,” said NU coach Aris Dimaunahan. “It’s a total collective effort from everyone on our team.”
Camille Clarin also led the Lady Bulldogs with 19 points, seven assists, and five steals. Dimaunahan lauded the winger’s defense on La Salle’s Charmine Torres, who was held to 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting.
“She by her lonesome guarded Charmine Torres. I give credit to Camille for coming out with her defensive prowess. That’s what leaders are, even if you don’t shoot, you can affect the game still by doing other things,” he said.
Aninick Edimo Tiky was also instrumental for NU with 15 points and eight rebounds as Angel Surada added 12 points and eight boards.
La Salle fell to 4-2 in the third place with Fina Niantcho leading the way with 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting with six rebounds.
UST Tigresses’ Tacky Tacatac. –UAAP PHOTO
University of Santo Tomas solidified its hold of the second seed as it dominated Far Eastern University, 83-49, for its third straight victory to improve to a 5-1 record.
Tacky Tacatac and Jovylyn Pangilinan combined for 12 of UST’s 15 triples with Tacatac finishing with 24 points, six rebounds, and three assists, while Pangilinan fired seven treys for 21 points.
Eka Soriano had 10 points, eight assists, and six steals for the Tigresses.
FEU suffered its fourth straight loss, sliding to 1-5. Princess Jumuad led the Lady Tamaraws with 17 points, nine rebounds, and three steals, while Camille Taguiam added 10 markers.
Meanwhile, Ateneo and University of the Philippines improved to 3-3 after winning separate matches.
Sarah Makanjuola scattered 16 points, 13 rebounds, one assist, and four blocks as Ateneo beat Adamson, 66-58.
Jhazmin Joson also contributed for the Blue Eagles with 16 points and 10 boards, while Junize Calago also posted a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Adamson fell to 2-4 despite the effort of Nigerian center Victoria Adeshina, who had 14 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists.
Erika Jimenez and Stiff Larrosa poured 11 points each to end UP’s two-game skid with a 66-42 victory over the winless University of the East.
Marielle Vingno and Maian Domingo also chipped in 10 points apiece for the Maroons.
UE fell to 0-6 as Kamba Kone’s 13 points and 13 rebounds went for naught.