Games Sunday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
7:30 a.m. – DLSZ vs FEU-D (16U)
9:30 a.m. – UPIS vs AdU (16U)
12 p.m. – DLSU vs FEU (women’s)
2 p.m. – DLSU vs FEU (men’s)
4:30 p.m. – UP vs AdU (men’s)
7 p.m. – UP vs AdU (women’s)
By MARK REY MONTEJO
Reigning champion National University stamped its class anew and annihilated University of the East, 81-48, to claim a provisional semifinal bonus in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday, Nov. 15.
The Lady Bulldogs imposed their will right from the get-go, eventually punctuating their dominance with a Kristine Cayabyab triple that stretched their lead to 77-37 midway through the fourth.
NU now hiked its card to 12-1 to claim a temporary twice-to-beat advantage since it is still to meet league-leading and still undefeated University of Santo Tomas on Nov. 23.
If the Lady Bulldogs beat the Tigresses, then they will secure a semis bonus, but if the España-based squad goes on to win its three remaining games, it will advance outright to the Finals, forcing NU to a stepladder semis along with No. 3 and 4 seeds after the elims.
NU suffered a crushing 62-76 setback to the Haydee Ong-guided crew in the first round.
UE, on the other hand, extended its losing skid to 13 and 23rd overall since the first part of Season 87.
“When we first played UE, it was only our second game, so I believe naman na we improved by playing all those games,” said NU head coach DA Olan.
Karl Ann Pingol led the assault with 18 points with six rebounds, three assists, and seven steals, while Dindy Medina scored 16. Marga Villanueva and Kristine Cayabyab also provided offensive support off 14 and 10 points, respectively.
Syvil Oñate stood out for UE with 23 points, while Rachel Lacayanga ended up with a quiet nine-point output as the Lady Warriors gun for a breakthrough triumph over Far Eastern University this Saturday, Nov. 22, at the same venue.
Meanwhile, NU Nazareth School notched its 13th straight win by dismantling University of the East, 83-64, to inch closer to an elimination sweep in the 16U division.
Dean Tria, David Sabareza, Mark Arzola, and Moussa Diakite spearheaded a third-quarter surge that let the Bullpups build a 59-38 breakaway which was enough to take the fight out of the Junior Red Warriors.
With a 13-0 card, NU is one win away from earning an outright spot in the finals, while UE remained at fourth with a 7-6 tally.
Earlier, University of Santo Tomas went three in a row with a 100-81 demolition of Ateneo, 100-81, to secure its Final Four ticket.
The score (women’s):
NU 81 – Pingol 18, D. Medina 16, Villanueva 14, Cayabyab 10, Surada 9, Alterado 4, Betanio 3, Pring 2, S. Medina 2, Ico 2, Solis 1, Canindo 0.
UE 48 – Oñate 23, Lacayanga 9, Ronquillo 4, Dalguntas 3, Gullim 2, Buscar 2, Trinidad 2, Lumibao 2, Yañez 1, Ramos 0, Gomez 0, Salise 0, Delig 0.
Quarters: 23-11, 53-19, 71-33, 81-48.
