UAAP: Camille Clarin’s clutch heroics lead NU escape of UP

NU Lady Bulldogs’ Camille Clarin leads her team’s come-from-behind win over UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Camille Clarin nailed a clutch three-pointer with 45.2 seconds left, sealing National University’s come-from-behind 64-59 victory over University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Sunday.

Clarin, who only had three points entering the fourth quarter, went for 13 points in the payoff period on four three-pointers and a free throw to lead the Lady Bulldogs’ comeback from a 44-48 hole to start the frame.

The 5-foot-9 Filipino-Canadian guard, who is in her senior year,also tallied five assists and four rebounds for an all-around performance.

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“It was a timely hit by CC late in the fourth. Credit to her because she made four three-point shots in the game so yung first seven attempts niya sablay. Hindi nawala yung concentration niya, hindi nawala yung confidence niya to hoist up a shot when it matters the most,” said NU head coach Aris Dimaunahan.

Maymay Canuto, Tin Cayabyab, Angel Surada, Clarin, and Jainaba Konateh connived for a 16-2 blitz for a 60-50 NU lead with 5:41 remaining.

Kaye Pesquera, however, commanded a 9-0 answer for UP to inch within one with 3:10 left before misses from both sides followed.

Then Clarin, who earlier made three triples in their run, put the Lady Bulldogs on top by four, 63-59, with a conversion from deep.

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The Lady Bulldogs hiked their record to 10-0 ahead of their clash with the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Ann Pingol also came through with 14 points, while Cielo Pagdulagan and Surada had 11 and 10 points, respectively.

UP sank to 3-8 and is now hoping that Ateneo de Manila University lose all their remaining games while they win theirs to have a chance for at least a playoff for the fourth spot.

Pesquera was the lone Fighting Maroon in double figures with 16 points, while Louna Ozar had nine points and nine rebounds in the loss.

UP looks to keep its slim hopes alive next Sunday when it faces De La Salle University at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Scores:

NU 64 – Clarin 16, Pingol 14, Pagdulagan 11, Surada 10, Cayabyab 7, Konateh 4, Canuto 1, Betanio 1, Fabruada 0, Solis 0, Villanueva 0.

UP 59 – Pesquera 16, Ozar 9, Bariquit 6, Maw 6, Tapawan 4, Sauz 4, Nolasco 4, Vingno 3, Jimenez 3, Solitario 2, Lozada 2, Quinquinio 0, Barba 0.

Quarterscores: 8-17, 25-29, 44-48, 64-59.