NU nears twice to beat, La Salle stuns UP in women’s basketball play

NU Lady Bulldogs vs UE Lady Warriors in the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—National University kept its chokehold of the top spot in the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball tournament after blowing out University of the East, 75-57, at Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.

The Lady Bulldogs clinched at least a playoff for a twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four.  They can officially claim the Final Four advantage with a win over Adamson on Wednesday.

Keeping the Lady Warriors at bay to improve to an 11-1 record, NU coach Aris Dimaunahan said UE was a tough team to play against.

“It’s always tough to play a team that has no pressure coming into the game and that’s UE for today. I’m glad that we conducted ourselves today better than we played against La Salle and UST because we are all asking for our players’ consistency in our game,” said Dimaunahan.

Angel Surada paced NU with 11 points and six rebounds. Marylene scored nine while Gypsy Canuto, Princess Fabruada and Camille Clarin finished with eight markers each in the win.

Kamba Kone’s double-double of 21 points and 18 rebounds were put to waste as the Lady Warriors remained winless after 12 games in the season.

La Salle, meanwhile, kept its Final Four hopes alive after squeaking past University of the Philippines, 75-71.

The Lady Archers improved to 5-7 for the season behind the efforts of Lee Sario, who finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Betina Binaohan and Bernice Paraiso helped the cause with 15 and 12 markers, respectively.

Favour Onoh’s monster double-double of 23 points and 24 boards but the Lady Maroons slipped to a 9-3 card.