UAAP: NU Lady Bulldogs head into Final Four with 11-game win streak

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

MANILA, Philippines—National University will enter the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball tournament Final Four on a blazing note.

The Lady Bulldogs outlasted University of the Philippines, 81-59, in their final elimination game at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.

Not only did NU exact revenge on the Lady Maroons, who defeated them in the first round, but the defending champions also stretched their winning streak to 11.

“We talked about momentum and that was really the goal today for our team, to have some momentum going towards the Final Four and I thought the players and coaches were locked in on what we’re trying to do today,” said coach Aris Dimaunahan after the Lady Bulldogs improved to 13-1.

Gypsy Canuto headlined the NU win with 16 points and six rebounds while Jainaba Konateh, Karl Pingol and Aloja Betanio chipped in 12, 11 and 10 points, respectively, in the dub.

UP meanwhile, ended the eliminations with a 10-4 record with Louna Ozar being the silver lining in the loss with 14 points and five assists. Favour Onoh registered a double-double with 10 points and 15 boards.

UST Tigresses’ Angelina Villasin. –UAAP PHOTO

University of Santo Tomas, meanwhile, trounced Ateneo, 80-68.

Following the UP loss later that day, the Growling Tigresses will have a twice-to-beat advantage as the second seed with an 11-3 record.

Angelina Villasin pushed UST to victory with 20 points built on four buckets from beyond the arc. Eka Soriano and Jane Pastrana also chipped in 14 and 12 points, respectively.

Ateneo, which will face first-seeded NU after finishing with an 8-6 card, was paced by Kacey Dela Rosa with a double-double of 21 points and 11 boards but to no avail.