NU at cusp of undefeated season

c/o UAAP

Games on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena

10 a.m. – UE vs UST (JHS Finals Game 1)

1 p.m. – UST vs NU (Women Finals Game 2)

5:30 p.m. – UP vs DLSU (Men Finals Game 2)

NATIONAL University is on the verge of reclaiming the championship that was once theirs: the UAAP Women’s Basketball title.

The Lady Bulldogs displayed their composure and championship mentality in the fourth quarter, with Cielo Pagdulagan's clutch go-ahead basket lifting them to a 72-71 victory over defending champions University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses to take Game One of the best-of-three UAAP Season 87 Finals on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Pagdulagan, the presumptive Season 87 Rookie of the Year, exhibited poise beyond her years, scoring the game-winning layup to give NU a one-point advantage with 50.3 seconds left.

Despite shooting just 3-of-12 from the field prior to the basket, she made the most of the crucial moment.

UST had several opportunities to steal the win, but Kent Pastrana committed a traveling violation, and Tacky Tacatac missed a potential game-winning three-pointer, sealing NU’s victory and extending their winning streak to 15 games.

“I’m glad and happy for our players. Nobody veered away from what we do, especially in the second half. It’s a hell of a game for both teams. It’s good for the league and for fans that women’s basketball is turning out to be like this. That means the level in both teams is leveling up,” Lady Bulldogs head coach Aris Dimaunahan said.

The Lady Bulldogs surged in the second half, outscoring UST 18-7 in the third quarter to turn a 48-57 deficit into a 65-all tie with 5:56 left in the fourth. The run was capped by two free throws from Ann Pingol and a layup from Pagdulagan.

After a brief four-point lead from Season 85 MVP Eka Soriano, NU responded with free throws from Pringle Fabruada and Gypsy Canuto to regain a slim 70-69 advantage with 1:38 remaining.

NU center Jainaba Konateh was assessed an unsportsmanlike foul for stepping into the landing area of Rachel Ambos’ three-point attempt with 41.5 seconds left in the second quarter.

The Lady Bulldogs will have a chance to reclaim the championship— their eighth title in the past nine UAAP seasons— on Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

“We know for a fact that it’s a short series. The mindset of our team was very important to get Game 1. We should not look at the results right away; let the results take care of themselves,” Dimaunahan added.

Pingol led NU with a near-double-double performance, registering 18 points, nine rebounds, three steals, two assists, and one block.

Camille Clarin added 12 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals, but turned the ball over seven times.

Angel Surada contributed nine points, five rebounds, three assists, and one block, while Pagdulagan finished with nine points and five rebounds.

Fabruada also helped with eight points, nine rebounds, four assists, and one steal.

On the other hand, UST will look to equalize and force a do-or-die Game 3 in their quest to retain the crown.

The Tigresses came off the gates early, leading by 10 to end the opening frame and as much as 14 points, 51-37, after an Agatha Bron triple with 7:19 left in the third canto.

However, the NU five would rally back, eventually leading to the frenetic end to the contest.

Pastrana, the reigning UAAP Athlete of the Year, led UST with 22 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two assists, while Brigette Santos contributed 12 points, three rebounds, three steals, and two assists.

Tacatac, limited to eight points on 3-of-9 shooting, still added three assists, two steals, and two rebounds, while Soriano had seven points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals but struggled with 3-of-12 shooting.

Maglupay nearly posted a double-double, finishing with seven points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks.

The Scores:

NU (72) - Pingol 18, Clarin 12, Surada 9, Pagdulagan 9, Fabruada 8, Betanio 6, Konateh 6, Cayabyab 3, Canuto 1, Villanueva 0, Solis 0.

UST (71) - Pastrana 22, Santos 12, Tacatac 8, Soriano 7, Maglupay 7, Ambos 7, Bron 6, Sierba 2, Danganan 0, Serrano 0.

Quarterscores: 16-26, 37-46, 57-57, 72-71.