National University bounced back from its first loss in nine years with a 101-55 drubbing of Adamson University in the UAAP Season 85 Women’s Basketball Tournament, Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Lady Bulldogs finished in first place at the end of the elimination round with a 13-1 record.
They head to the Final Four against Ateneo de Manila University equipped with a twice-to-beat advantage.
“We talked about finishing quarters, finishing halves, finishing games strongly, which obviously we failed in our last game,” said NU coach Aris Dimaunahan.
“Today the challenge was really how well we could finish the elimination round on a high note, if we could finish this convincingly. I thought we did a better job today than the last time we played.”
Still reeling from its upset loss to De La Salle University last Wednesday, NU vented its frustrations toward Adamson. The Lady Bulldogs led as much as 79-31 off two free throws from Karl Pingol with 2:44 left in the third quarter.
Pingol led NU with 12 points along with eight rebounds and two assists. Tin Cayabyab followed suit with 11 points, four rebounds, and one assist.
Princess Fabruada and Camille Clarin contributed 10 points each for the Lady Bulldogs. Annick Edimo Tiky had nine points, six rebounds, and four steals as well for NU.
Every Lady Bulldog fielded scored in the contest.
The defending champions relied on their inside game as they produced 54 points in the paint compared to the Lady Falcons’ 34. NU also went 10-of-25 from the three-point line versus Adamson’s 1-of-10.
“We will prepare against Ateneo. We will review some games they had and our games with them,” added Dimaunahan.
“It will be an interesting match-up with their two big guys, with their import, and Kacey Dela Rosa plus their guards (Jhazmin) Joson and (Junize) Calago. Not to leave on the table si (LJ) Miranda),” he continued.
On the other hand, Adamson saw its two-game winning streak snapped and will end its campaign with a 5-9 record at sixth place.
Novie Ornopia led the Lady Falcons with 14 points followed by Victoria Adeshina’s eight points and seven rebounds.
Leslie For had 10 assists along with six rebounds, four points, and three steals for the Lady Falcons.
