UAAP: Maroons stun Lady Bulldogs to seize women’s lead

NU Lady Bulldogs’ Favour Onoh. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Nigerian Favour Onoh provided the grunt work while rookie Louna Ozar showed her worth in helping apply the finishing touches as University of the Philippines stunned National University, 72-69 on Sunday in the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball tournament on Sunday at UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

Against a team looking for an eighth straight title, Onoh finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks and four steals even as Ozar, who rejoined the squad after playing for the national team in the Asian Games, also contributed in her first outing with the Maroons.

“I was really excited for my first game. I saw my team was coming off a win and I wanna join that,” Ozar said.

UP led by 12 at the half, but NU’s fearsome basketball machine came out rallying hard to cut the lead to a point entering the fourth quarter.

Down by two, NU even had the chance to tie the game but Ana Pingol missed underneath the basket as Ozar and Kaye Pesquero helped the Maroons seal their first victory over the Lady Bulldogs since 2011.

“Nothing to say. We’re just really happy. We’re gonna celebrate the moment but we didn’t come here this season just to win a game against NU, we have a mission,” UP coach Paul Ramos said.