NU's Camille Clarin reacts against UST during their game in the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament, November 6, 2024 at the Mall of Asia Arena. UAAP MediaMANILA -- National University inched closer to an elimination round sweep of the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament after a 76-70 triumph against defending champion University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Bulldogs completed a sweep of the Golden Tigresses in the elimination round and stretched their winning streak to 11 games. They also ensured at least a playoff for a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final 4.
Standing in the way of NU's pursuit for a 14-0 sweep are Adamson University, De La Salle University, and Far Eastern University.
"Just glad that we pulled through in this one because we had a rough start, but I'm happy of how our players responded even though [UST] jumped at us early," Lady Bulldogs head coach Aris Dimaunahan said.
"We did not lose that focus we should be having for 40 minutes and part of which, that's why we came back early because CC [Camille Clarin] got some baskets early on," he added.
After a triple by Karylle Sierba briefly gave UST a two-point lead in the third quarter, 59-57, NU responded with a 13-0 run, culminating in a Cielo Pagdulagan inside shot in the final period that gave the Lady Bulldogs an 11-point cushion, 70-59, with less than 7:30 remaining.
A layup by Tacky Tacatac cut UST's deficit to seven, 74-67, but layups by Angel Surada and a crucial turnover by Brigette Santos sealed NU's 11th consecutive victory.
With this win, NU completed a head-to-head elimination round sweep of UST, replicating its 75-69 victory in the first round on September 21.
"I think that's part of the challenge of how we should play the game from start to finish. Syempre, hindi perfect, but the challenge really is how well we could bounce back if there are adversities and lapses that happen, especially on the defensive side," Dimaunahan added.
Clarin scored 18 of her 21 points in the first half while adding seven rebounds, four assists, on steal and one block, while Pagdulagan scored seven of her 17 points in the final quarter to go on top of her six rebounds, two assists, and a block.
Ann Pingol chipped in 11 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two blocks, while Surada scored eight points to go along with six rebounds, one assist, and one block. In 14 minutes and 15 seconds of play, Fabruada tallied four points, a game-high eight rebounds, and two assists.
Meanwhile, UST remains in solo second place with a 9-2 record. Both of their losses have come against NU.
Tacatac led UST in the losing effort with 21 points, three assists, and two steals, while UAAP Season 86 Athlete of the Year Kent Pastrana chipped in 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block.
CJ Maglupay tallied 10 points, six rebounds, two steals, and one block, while Santos contributed an all-around statline with eight points, six assists, five steals, four rebounds, and two blocks.
The Growling Tigresses will look to bounce back when they take on University of the East on Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Araneta Coliseum.
THE SCORES:
NU (76) – Clarin 21, Pagdulagan 17, Pingol 11, Surada 8, Canuto 6, Betanio 5, Fabruada 4, Cayabyab 4, Konateh 0, Villanueva 0, Solis 0, Alterado 0.
UST (70) – Tacatac 21, Pastrana 14, Maglupay 10, Santos 8, Sierba 8, Bron 4, Ambos 2, Serrano 2, N. Danganan 1, Soriano 0, Pescador 0, Relliquette 0.
Quarterscores: 23-19, 44-40, 61-59, 76-70.