NATIONAL University completed its redemption run in the 87th UAAP women’s basketball tournament yesterday, regaining the crown with a 78-73 decision over former champion University of Santo Tomas in their winner-take-all Game 3 battle at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Bulldogs captured their eighth overall title in nine seasons, thanks to rookie and Finals Most Valuable Player Cielo Pagdulagan who had 21 points and nine rebounds along with her three assists and three steals, while Angel Surada tallied 14 points with a 62.5% field goal accuracy, eight boards, four swats, three dimes and a block.
Skipper and veteran Camille Clarin chipped in 14 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals while Ann Pingol added 10 markers and nine boards for the Sampaloc-based squad.
The title win was the second for NU mentor Aris Dimaunahan, who took over the helm of the blue and gold crew two years ago.
“I’m very satisfied with how we conducted our year. The players have been on it since Day 1 of our training camp. We asked so much from them at hindi mo matatawaran iyong effort nila every day. They’re killing each other in practice, from the first group to the third group. Iyong competition namin sa practice, sobrang taas. I’m really satisfied. Today is the fruit of our labor the entire year, naghintay kami,” Dimaunahan said.
“Our focus araw-araw was to get better and better. We had our first loss of the season noong Game 2 pero di sila bumigay. The more they kept focused and hungrier to win. I’m really satisfied with how they conducted themselves. Congrats to NU, sa lahat-lahat ng players kasi ibinigay nila lahat lahat para sa redemption year na ito,” he continued.
The Lady Bulldogs took a 70-57 lead at the 7:13 mark after a basket from Kristine Cayabyab but the Growling Tigresses crawled their way back with a 9-0 run to make it 75-70 with 1:45 left, capped by a three-pointer from graduating shooter Tacky Tacatac.
But National U held its ground and made it 78-73 with 8.4 seconds and Surada stole the ball from UST’s Bridgette Santos to seal the championship.
“Maraming salamat sa pag-suporta sa amin. This is for the NU community. Thank you to our supporters na hindi nagsawang suportahan kami kaya nabawi naming iyong crown. And today was that day. Medyo natutuwa ako kasi today was the death anniversary of my first born. Di namin nakuha noong birthday niya noong Game 2. We dedicated this to all the NU community,” Dimaunahan said.
The championship was extra special for NU’s graduating players, Princess Fabruada and Gypsey Canuto.
Karylle Sierba paced the Growling Tigresses with 20 points, Tacatac had 14 while CJ Maglupay added seven markers and a game-high 23 rebounds in the losing effort.
