UAAP: NU Lady Bulldogs beat UST anew, close in on elims sweep

NU Lady Bulldogs’ Camille Clarin hits a 3-pointer against the UST Tigresses in UAAP Season 87.–UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–National University edged defending champion University of Santo Tomas, 76-70, to extend its winning streak to 11 games in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lady Bulldogs moved just three wins away from completing an elimination sweep for the seventh time in nine seasons. They wrap up the eliminations against Adamson, La Salle and FEU.

“Just glad that we pulled through in this one because we had a rough start, but I’m happy of how our players responded even though [UST] jumped at us early,” NU coach Aris Dimaunahan said. “We did not lose that focus we should be having for 40 minutes and part of which, that’s why we came back early because CC got some baskets early on.”

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

After a triple by Karylle Sierba briefly gave UST a two-point lead in the third quarter, 59-57, NU responded with a 13-0 run, culminating in a Cielo Pagdulagan inside shot in the final period that gave the Lady Bulldogs an 11-point cushion, 70-59, with less than 7:30 remaining.

A layup by Tacky Tacatac cut UST’s deficit to seven, 74-67, but layups by Angel Surada and a crucial turnover by Brigette Santos sealed NU’s victory.

The Lady Bulldogs also beat the Golden Tigresses in their first-round meeting, 75-69, on September 21.

“I think that’s part of the challenge of how we should play the game from start to finish. Syempre, hindi perfect, but the challenge really is how well we could bounce back if there are adversities and lapses that happen, especially on the defensive side,” Dimaunahan added.

Camille Clarin led the Lady Bulldogs’ charge with 21 points (18 in the first half) to go along with seven rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block, while Pagdulagan tallied 17 points (seven in the fourth quarter), six rebounds, two assists, and one block.

Ann Pingol chipped in 11 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two blocks, while Surada scored eight points to go along with six rebounds, one assist, and one block. In 14 minutes and 15 seconds of play, Fabruada tallied four points, a game-high eight rebounds, and two assists.

NU looks to inch closer to an elimination round sweep when they face Adamson, which is returning to the Final Four after a five-year absence, on Sunday, Nov. 10, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

READ: UAAP: UST Tigresses claim Final Four, Adamson boosts semis bid

Meanwhile, UST remains in solo second place with a 9-2 record.

Tacatac paced UST in the losing effort with 21 points, three assists, and two steals, while UAAP Season 86 Athlete of the Year Kent Pastrana chipped in 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block.

CJ Maglupay tallied 10 points, six rebounds, two steals, and one block, while Santos contributed an all-around statline with eight points, six assists, five steals, four rebounds, and two blocks.

The Growling Tigresses look to bounce back when they take on University of the East on Saturday at the same venue.

The Scores:

NU 76 – Clarin 21, Pagdulagan 17, Pingol 11, Surada 8, Canuto 6, Betanio 5, Fabruada 4, Cayabyab 4, Konateh 0, Villanueva 0, Solis 0, Alterado 0.

UST 70 – Tacatac 21, Pastrana 14, Maglupay 10, Santos 8, Sierba 8, Bron 4, Ambos 2, Serrano 2, N. Danganan 1, Soriano 0, Pescador 0, Relliquette 0.

Quarterscores: 23-19, 44-40, 61-59, 76-70.