NU wins five straight in UAAP women’s basketball; UST beats UP

NU Lady Bulldogs’ Jainaba Konateh against Ateneo’s Sarah Makanjuola. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion National University extended its win streak to five games after overcoming Ateneo, 84-74, in the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Jainaba Konateh, who averaged 4.6 points and 4.0 rebounds in the first round, was a revelation for the Lady Bulldogs with 14 points, seven rebounds, and three steals as they improved to a 7-1 record.

“We challenged her to play at par with two big guys (Kacey Dela Rosa and Sarah Makanjuola) of Ateneo,” said NUcoach Aris Dimaunahan. “Ateneo’s bigs averaged double-doubles before our game so our challenge for her was to be our big guy right there. She did a great job of standing her feet against those two big guys.”

Tin Cayabyab led NU with 18 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Stef Berbarabe chipped in 11 points, five rebounds, five steals, and two assists, while Gypsy Canuto also scored 11.

Atenep dropped to a 5-3 record despite the 29-point explosion of Kacey Dela Rosa, who also had 12 rebounds and two blocks. Junize Calago chipped in 16 points, four rebounds, and one steal, while Sara Makanjuola added nine points, eight rebounds, and four steals.

UST Tigresses’ Kent Pastrana. –UAAP PHOTO

Meanwhile, the University of Santo Tomas sent University of the Philippines to its second straight defeat, 74-72, to avenge its first-round loss behind Kent Pastrana’s 25-point effort.

“I’m thankful to my teammates because they trusted me to take shots and contribute,” said Pastrana in Filipino after scoring nine points in the fourth quarter and finishing with six rebounds, two assists, and a steal.

Tantoy Ferrer contributed to the Growling Tigresses with 19 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block. Rocel Dionisio had 10 points, eight rebounds, and two steals, while reigning MVP Eka Soriano only scored three points but had eight assists, seven steals, and four rebounds.

UST tied UP at 6-2 as the latter dropped back-to-back games after its 6-0 start

Louna Ozar led the Fighting Maroons with 17 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Kaye Pesquera had 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Christie Bariquit and Rhea Sanchez added 11 markers each.

La Salle rose to a 3-5 record after beating Adamson (2-6) with a 71-61 victory behind Trisha Mendoza’s 17 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks.

FEU also improved to 3-5 after Queenie Aquino poured in 23 points to torch the winless University of the East (0-8) with an easy 64-47 win.