NATIONAL University continued its impressive run in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament, remaining unbeaten after a dominant 22-point victory over Adamson University, 74-52, on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Riding the momentum of their four-game winning streak, which includes a convincing win against the defending champions University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses last Saturday, the Lady Bulldogs solidified their grip on first place with a perfect 5-0 record.
“Going into this game, the goal was after the final buzzer, we want to keep the final spot because we know for a fact that Adamson was also gunning for the top spot,” said NU head coach Aris Dimaunahan.
“That was the challenge for us going into this game, we kind of started slow, and we needed that halftime break para somehow gisingin yung mga players,” the third-year Lady Bulldogs mentor continued.
NU showcased its dominance in the second half, turning a narrow 33-27 lead into a commanding 19-point advantage, 48-29, after a stunning 15-2 run to open the third quarter.
From there on, NU never looked back.
Three consecutive baskets by Maymay Canuto, Angel Surada, and Ann Pingol further extended NU’s lead to a game-high 24 points with less than two minutes left on the clock.
Surada led NU’s scoring punch with 14 points on an efficient 6-of-8 from the field to go along with six rebounds, four steals, and three assists.
Camille Clarin was scoreless but the Lady Bulldogs captain facilitated the team’s offense well with nine assists and had plus-24 efficiency rating.
In her first game against her former school, point guard Dindy Medina was limited to two points on 1-of-4 shooting in 7 minutes and 28 seconds of play.
The Lady Bulldogs aim to move to the cusp of a first round sweep when they face University of the East on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Looking ahead, the Lady Bulldogs aim to inch closer to a first-round sweep when they face University of the East on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Meanwhile, Adamson will be seeking to rebound from this setback as they prepare to face the Fighting Maroons on Saturday at the same bayside Pasay arena.
Victoria Adeshina paced the Lady Falcons in the losing effort with a double-double performance of 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Cris Padilla and Elaine Etang contributed 10 points each.
Kat Agojo was heavily checked by NU’s defense, ending the game scoreless with only one shot attempt in 13 minutes and 20 seconds of play.
Adamson looks to bounce back against the Fighting Maroons on Saturday at the same bayside Pasay arena.
Games on Saturday
(SM Mall of Asia Arena)
8 a.m. – UPIS vs ADU (JHS)
9:45 a.m. – NUNS vs UE (JHS)
11:30 a.m. – UP vs ADU (Women)
1:30 p.m. – NU vs UE (Women)
4:30 p.m. – UP vs ADU (Men)
6:30 p.m. – NU vs UE (Men)
