UAAP: NU inches closer to women’s basketball Final Four

NU’s Camille Clarin against UE in UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball.–UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Unbeaten leader National University demolished University of the East, 103-48 to inch closer to a Final Four spot in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lady Bulldogs sans Angel Surada asserted their dominance against the Lady Warriors. The 55-point win was NU’s 28th consecutive against UE and it was the Lady Bulldogs’ most lopsided victory since a 92-31 drubbing of the Lady Warriors in Season 85 on November 13, 2022.

Camille Clarin stood out among the five Lady Bulldogs, who scored in double figures, after pouring in 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting on top of two rebounds, two assists, and a steal to give NU a 9-0 record—a win away from securing a Final Four berth.

READ: UAAP: NU Lady Bulldogs, UST Tigresses stay in the lead

NU missed Surada due to a minor injury but others stepped up including Ann Pingol, who had 12 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a block. Jainaba Konateh also scored 12 points and had four rebounds and one steal. Tin Caybayab added 11 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while rookie Cielo Pagdulagan delivered 10 points and grabbed five rebounds.

“We never look at any teams in the UAAP kung ano standing nila, we always respect kung sino ang kalaban namin and we always put a premium to our preparation,” said NU coach Aris Dimaunahan. “Part of the challenge sa team namin is how we start the game, and today I thought that our starters responded very well to the challenge.”

“Every piece and every player is important. They value the minutes given to them regardless kung ilan man ‘yon and that’s a statement of how committed we are as a team and our players as well, how willingly they absorb and embrace the roles given to them,” he added.

UE continued to reel at the bottom with a 1-8 record with Jearzy Ganade leading the team with 17 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while Kamba Kone chipped had nine points, seven rebounds, and one steal.

READ: UAAP: NU sweeps first round, UST rises to 6-1 in women’s basketball

Ateneo’s Kacey Dela Rosa against La Salle in UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball.–UAAP PHOTO

Meanwhile, Ateneo halted a three-game skid as Kacey Dela Rosa tallied her 10th double-double to beat archrival La Salle, 70-57.

Reigning MVP Dela Rosa sustained her dominant form with 28 points and 16 rebounds on top of five steals to tighten their grip on the fourth place with a 5-5 record.

“Yung mindset lang namin coming into the game kasi we almost lost to La Salle last round, so kahit nanalo kami last round, siyempre inisip namin na we have to come back stronger,” said Dela Rosa after recovering from losses to NU twice and University of Santo Tomas.. “Kailangan namin matalo ang La Salle kasi it’s a rivalry game kaya this is an important win for us.”

FINAL: Ateneo (5-5) beats archrival La Salle (2-8) with a 70-57 victory to tighten its grip on the fourth seed in the #UAAPSeason87 women’s basketball.@INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/cp0Yubz20C

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) October 26, 2024

Besides Dela Rosa, Kai Oani caught fire in the second half, scoring all of her career-best 17 points from five three-pointers three rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Junize Calago had nine points seven assists, four rebounds, and one steal, while Sarah Makanjoula chipped in seven points, seven rebounds, and three steals.

“I think we really came out medyo tentative and hindi rin kami nakapagpractice ng buo kasi binagyo rin kami. It was really more about energy and being detailed with the game plan. When we started doing that, things started going well for us,” said Ateneo coach LA Mumar.

The Lady Archers suffered her second consecutive loss with a 2-8 record.

Luisa San Juan led La Salle with 19 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Lee Sario contributed 11 points, six rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

The Scores:

First Game:

NU (103) – Clarin 16, Pingol 12, Fabruada 12, Konateh 12, Cayabyab 11, Pagdulagan 10, Pring 9, Betanio 7, Solis 5, Villanueva 3, Canuto 2, Alterado 2, Ico 2, Talas 0.

UE (48) – Ganade 17, Kone 9, Vacalares 7, Ronquillo 6, Cruz 5, Lacayanga 2, Yanez 2, Buscar 0, Guillim 0, Ruiz 0, Gomez 0, Delig 0, Dalguntas 0.

Quarterscores: 32-8, 56-25, 83-32, 103-48

Second Game:

Ateneo (70) – Dela Rosa 28, Oani 17, Calago 9, Makanjoula 7, Angala 3, Villacruz 2, Batongbakal 2, Aquirre 2, Cancio 0, Nieves 0.

DLSU (57) – San Juan 19, Sario 11, Mendoza 8, Sunga 8, Paraiso 4, Dalisay 3, Dela Paz 3, Rodriguez 1, Bacierto 0, Villavacua 0.

Quarterscores: 18-21, 31-36, 54-44, 70-57.