NU's Kristine Cayabyab in action against La Salle in the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament, November 13, 2024 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. UAAP MediaMANILA -- National University is on the verge of an elimination round sweep in the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament after a 72-63 triumph against De La Salle University on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
This was the 13th straight win for the Lady Bulldogs, who also gained a measure of revenge against the Lady Archers for their loss last season.
La Salle had beaten NU in the same venue in Season 86, ending the Lady Bulldogs' historic 108-game, nine-year losing streak.
The only team standing in the way of NU's elimination round sweep is Far Eastern University, whom they play on November 23 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. If the Lady Bulldogs get the job done, it will be their seventh elimination round sweep in nine seasons, but their first since Season 82 in 2019.
"We're happy na hindi nangyari yung nangyari dati. Same venue, I just don't remember if same jersey color, pero I'm really happy kasi we were not really making our shots from the outside," Lady Bulldogs head coach Aris Dimaunahan said.
"Every time we play here, we cannot find our mark in terms of shooting from beyond the arc, pero there were times na when we needed it the most, nakashoot kami," added the former Blackwater head coach as NU shot just 8-of-35 from deep.
It was a come-from-behind win for the Lady Bulldogs, who trailed by eight points in the first period before taking control with a 13-4 run that put them ahead, 33-24, at the break. Rookie star Cielo Pagdulagan highlighted the run with seven straight points.
It was all that NU needed, as they extended their lead to 15 points, 56-41, in the third frame.
A late triple by Camile Clarin and an inside hit from Ann Pingol gave NU a commanding 63-47 lead in the payoff period to solidify its 13th straight win and repeat its 64-49 first-round beatdown of La Salle last September 8.
"It's a welcome development again for us na somehow today, our bench has more points than the other school. Last three games kasi namin talo yung bench namin in scoring, we're happy today that we finally got what we wanted from the bench," Dimaunahan added.
Twelve of 16 NU players got on the scoreboard, led by Pagdulagan with 11 points.
With a game left in their Season 87 campaign, the Lady Archers fell to a 4-8 slate after previously winning their last two outings.
Luisa San Juan paced La Salle with 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals, while Lee Sario tallied 14 points, four rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
The Lady Archers look to end their season on a high note when they face reigning champions UST Growling Tigresses at the same date and venue.
THE SCORES:
NU (72) - Pagdulagan 11, Betanio 9, Canuto 9, Cayabyab 9, Clarin 8, Surada 7, Pingol 6, Konateh 3, Fabruada 3, Villanueva 3, Solis 2, Ico 2, Pring 0, Alterado 0, Garcia 0, Talas 0.
DLSU (63) - San Juan 19, Sario 14, Sunga 12, Mendoza 6, Bacierto 4, Paraiso 4, Binaohan 2, Dalisay 2, Dela Paz 0.
Quarterscores: 9-15, 33-24, 56-41, 72-63.