UAAP: NU Lady Bulldogs kick off redemption bid with win over La Salle

NU Lady Bulldogs’ Camille Clarin during the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament.–UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — National University weathered an early storm from La Salle to open its title-redemption bid with a 64-49 win in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament on Sunday at Adamson Gym.

Seniors Camille Clarin and Tin Cayabyab led the charge with Clarin tallying 16 points, six rebounds, three steals, while Cayabyab recorded 13 points, four rebounds, four assists, and four steals.

The Lady Bulldogs’ second unit, led by rookie Cielo Pagdulagan, that helped NU break away from the Lady Archers in the second half.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball

“Just glad that the first game of the season is done. Not the prettiest win, but we’ll take it. I understand that this is the first game of the season, at may jitters pa. Some of the rookies, siyempre couldn’t control their emotions, but that’s part of growing,” said third-year Lady Bulldogs coach Aris Dimaunahan.

Holding a slim 33-32 lead in the third quarter, Pagdulagan, a 6-foot product of the NU-NS program, scored five points during an 18-4 run — including a three-point play that gave NU a 50-37 advantage.

READ: UAAP: UST Tigresses open title defense with whipping of UE

“Si Cielo medyo super excited pa, but that is expected,” said Dimaunahan about Pagdulagan, who finished with 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting, along with four rebounds, a steal, and a block.

“I think this is just another talented set of rookies, but we’ve been telling them that talent will not bring them anywhere in the UAAP. But they are super willing to learn from us seniors,” added team captain Clarin, as much is expected from Pagdulagan and her fellow rookies, Marga Villanueva and Nicole Pring.

The Lady Bulldogs continued to pour it on in the final frame, limiting the Lady Archers to just seven points.

Pring is expected to recover from a left ankle injury by next week while Ann Pingol was out for the contest due to being under the weather.

NU will aim for back-to-back wins when they face Josee Kaputu and Far Eastern University on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Tricia Mendoza led La Salle with a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double, while super senior Bernice Paraiso contributed 10 points and six boards as they seek to bounce back against La Salle on Wednesday.

READ: UST ends title drought, NU dynasty in UAAP women’s basketball

Meanwhile, Reigning Most Valuable Player Kacey Dela Rosa led Ateneo in their opening game, scoring 34 points to lift the Blue Eagles to a 79-68 victory over the University of the Philippines on Sunday at Adamson Gym in Manila.

Dela Rosa, the 20-year-old center who recently competed with Gilas Women in the Fiba World Cup 2026 Prequalifying Tournament in Rwanda, went 15-of-23 from the field and added 11 rebounds and three blocks.

“Everybody knows Kacey is the main player of our team but it’s not just her points but also her leadership. She has to make her teammates better,” said Ateneo coach LA Mumar about her star center.

“Siyempre mahirap maging ate but I have to be a leader for this team,” Dela Rosa added.

The Blue Eagles pounced on the Fighting Maroons’ diminished frontline, which will be without Favour Onoh for the entire season due to a knee injury she sustained during a preseason meet.

Ateneo out-rebounded UP 59-29 and scored 21 second-chance points.

“We feel bad for Coach Paul (Ramos) for losing a key piece. But kami kasi, we are just focusing on our team and how we can improve,” said Mumar.

Dela Rosa had 16 points by halftime where Ateneo secured a 49-39 lead. The advantage grew to as high as 17 points, 63-46, toward the end of the third quarter.

Sarah Makanjuola, a third-year big from Nigeria, supported Dela Rosa with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Aly Eufemiano added 12 points and five rebounds, while Junize Calago contributed six points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.

“I was a bit concerned at first because we have a lot of rookies. Pero the veterans delivered for us. Nandito sila Kacey at sila Sarah. Hopefully, this is a good initiation for the rookies,” Mumar said as Ateneo prepares to face University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday.

Achrissa Maw led UP with 23 points, while Kaye Pesquera and Louna Ozar added 17 and 16 points, respectively.

UP will face University of the East next on Saturday.