The NU Lady Bulldogs huddle against Adamson during their game in the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament, November 10, 2024 at the Araneta Coliseum. UAAP MediaMANILA -- National University powered to a 72-53 triumph against Adamson University to continue its spotless campaign in the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Bulldogs extended their winning streak to 12 games, in the process clinching a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final 4 -- should a traditional format be followed in the postseason.
Two already-eliminated teams -- De La Salle UNiversity and Far Eastern University -- will try to deny the Lady Bulldogs a sweep of the elimination round.
"We'll continue to remain at the present. I always tell this na we do not look too far ahead of us. We take it a day and a game at a time. This game is done and over with, but tomorrow, we'll start ulit to work and to achieve the sweep," NU head coach Aris Dimaunahan said.
Marga Villanueva, Gypsey Canuto, and Angelica Surada powered the Lady Bulldogs' 19-11 second quarter rout of the Lady Falcons to gain a commanding 46-28 cushion at the half.
From there on, NU remained in control throughout the contest, establishing a game-high 24-point lead in the payoff period, 72-48, capped by four consecutive baskets from Camille Clarin, Ann Pingol, Tin Cayabyab, and Canuto.
"We know for a fact that today [Adamson] aspired to be the team that would dent our record this season. We know that coming into this game, so we took care of business early," Dimaunahan added.
Ann Pingol tallied 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, and one block, while Villanueva contributed 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting to go along with one steal.
Canuto orchestrated the Lady Bulldogs' offense with nine points, six assists, two rebounds, and one steal, while Surada flirted with a double-double after tallying nine points and nine rebounds to go along with three assists and two steals.
National U had beaten Adamson 74-52 when they met in the first round. They will try to inch closer to an elimination round sweep when they play La Salle on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, before wrapping up their schedule against FEU on Saturday.
On the other hand, Adamson's late rally for the second seed took a massive hit by dropping to an 8-4 record, two games behind University of Santo Tomas.
Cheska Apag was the Lady Falcons' lone double-digit scorer with 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting to go along with four rebounds, one assist, and one steal, while Kim Limbago chipped in seven points, six rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
Elaine Etang was limited to six points on 3-of-15 shooting and four turnovers but contributed three rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Kem Adeshina only tallied four points, six rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
Adamson, meanwhile, will figure in a virtual battle for the second seed against UST on Saturday, November 16, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
THE SCORES:
NU (72) - Pingol 12, Villanueva 10, Canuto 9, Surada 9, Clarin 8, Konateh 7, Fabruada 6, Betanio 4, Cayabyab 3, Pagdulagan 2, Solis 2, Pring 0, Alterado 0, Ico 0, Talas 0.
AdU (53) - Apag 18, Limbago 7, Alaba 7, Etang 6, Adeshina 4, Ornopia 4, Alaba 3, Agojo 2, Bajo 2, Padilla 0, Mazo 0, Manlimos 0, Meniano 0.
Quarterscores: 27-17, 46-28, 59-41, 72-53.