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| c/o UAAP |
Games on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena
8 a.m. - AdU vs Ateneo (JHS)
10 a.m. - UP vs AdU (Women)
12 p.m. - UST vs FEU (Women)
3:30 p.m. - UP vs AdU (Men)
6:30 p.m. - UST vs FEU (Men)
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY remained unblemished in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament with a 103-48 demolition of a struggling University of the East side on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Despite missing Angel Surada due to a minor injury, the Lady Bulldogs had no difficulty in clinching their ninth straight win to remain on top in the eight-team league while also extending their winning streak over the Lady Warriors to 28 games.
Coincidentally, the 55-point victory marked the biggest winning margin in the women’s division since NU handed UE a crushing 92-31 defeat in Season 85 last November 13, 2022.
“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 head 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.”
Right out the gate, the Lady Bulldogs flexed its championship pedigree with a 29-2 jumpstart, holding the Lady Warriors to single digits to quickly establish a commanding 24-point cushion, after the first period.
NU’s all-around play spelled the difference in its dominant first-quarter showing that allowed them to cruise past UE as it shot 12-of-16 from the field while limiting the latter to a dismal 4-of-13 shooting on 30.8 percent.
The Lady Bulldogs sealed their ninth consecutive victory with a dominant third period performance, outscoring the Lady Warriors by 20 points with a 27-7 showing to take a 51-point lead, 83-32, heading into the payoff period.
NU relied on its depth to remain undefeated and overcome a win-hungry UE side with a dominant 56-16 performance in bench scoring.
“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,” Dimaunahan added.
Camille Clarin led five Lady Bulldogs in double-figures with 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting to go along with two rebounds, two assists, and a steal on plus-31 in 15 minutes and 56 seconds of action, while Ann Pingol contributed 12 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a block.
All players have played under 20 minutes. Jainaba Konateh scored 12 points to go along with four rebounds and one steal, while Tin Caybayab added 11 points, four rebounds, and four assists as NU replicated its 67-39 first-round beatdown of UE last September 28.
Rookie Cielo Pagdulagan, who had played the most minutes with 19:21, was the other player in twin digits with 10 points and grabbed five boards.
The Lady Bulldogs will aim to keep their unblemished slate and clinch their tenth consecutive victory when they face the UP Fighting Maroons next Sunday, Nov. 3, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
On the other hand, the loss kept the Lady Warriors at last place with a 1-8 card after suffering their fifth consecutive defeat. UE’s last victory over NU came when it completed an elimination sweep of the Lady Bulldogs in UAAP Season 71 (2008).
Jearzy Ganade paced UE in the losing effort with 17 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while Malienne center Kamba Kone chipped in nine points, seven rebounds, and one steal.
The Lady Warriors aim to break out of its five-game skid when it clashes against the Adamson Lady Falcons on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the same Pasay venue.
The Scores:
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
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