NU sweeps first round of UAAP Women's Basketball

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Standings

NU 7-0

UST 6-1

AdU 4-2

Ateneo 4-3

UP 2-4

UE 1-5

DLSU 1-5

FEU 1-6

Games Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena

8 a.m. – AdU vs UE (JHS)

9:45 a.m. – DLSZ vs UPIS (JHS)

11:30 a.m. – AdU vs UE (Women)

1:30 p.m. – DLSU vs UP (Women)

3:30 p.m. – AdU vs UE (Men)

6:30 p.m. – DLSU vs UP (Men)

NATIONAL University completed its first round sweep of the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament after taking down hard-fighting Ateneo de Manila University, 66-58, Saturday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lady Bulldogs ended the first round on top at 7-0 with an average winning margin of 16.85 points.

All NU wins were blowouts except the games against Ateneo and the defending champion University of Santo Tomas where they won by single digit.

Despite the first round sweep though, Lady Bulldogs head coach Aris Dimaunahan still pointed out their shortcomings in this grind-out match.

“For the first three quarters, all of us were not locked in on what we’re supposed to do. Just glad that during the fourth quarter we got our bearings back and we stayed with the game plan on how to stop Ateneo,” said Dimaunahan.

Kacey Dela Rosa’s long jump shot pulled the Blue Eagles to within 49-51 with 6:58 to go but Pringle Fabruada answered for the Lady Bulldogs with six straight points, 57-49.

Even though Sarah Makanjuola and Junize Calago fought back for Ateneo, the tried and tested trio of Camille Clarin, Angel Surada, and Ann Pingol provided the answers for NU to secure the victory.

Rookie Cielo Pagdulagan led the way for the balanced Lady Bulldogs with 12 points, five rebounds, and three steals, while Tin Cayabyab backed her up with 11 points and five rebounds.

“Sobrang happy kasi ang goal po talaga namin is matapos ‘yung first round na ito na nasa top pa rin po kami. Siguro kailangan lang namin imaintain yung effort, yung communication sa loob ng court, and yung energy namin kung paano kami naglaro this first round,” said Pagdulagan, a product of National University Nazareth School.

Pingol and Surada also collected 10 points each while Fabruada and Aloha Betanio had eight and seven points, respectively.

The Blue Eagles will enter the second round at solo fourth with a 4-3 card.

Reigning MVP Dela Rosa finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals for Ateneo. That is her seventh double-double.

Calago chipped in 12 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, and five steals in the losing cause while Nigerian big Makanjuola had nine points, 17 rebounds, and four blocks.

The Scores:

NU 66 – Pagdulagan 12, Cayabyab 11, Pingol 10, Surada 10, Fabruada 8, Betanio 7, Clarin 4, Konateh 2, Solis 2, Canuto 0, Ico 0, Pring 0, Medina 0.

Ateneo 58 – Dela Rosa 21, Calago 12, Makanjoula 9, Aquirre 5, Oani 4, Villacruz 3, Cancio 2, Batongbakal 2, Angala 0, Cruza 0, Nieves 0.

Quarterscores: 18-13, 28-26, 47-44, 66-58