By MARK REY MONTEJO
Karl Ann Pingol bunched six points down the stretch and helped power reigning champion National University to a pulsating 83-79 win over Ateneo for a solo second in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday, Oct. 18.
The Lady Bulldogs looked headed to a convincing win when they posted a 75-64 lead midway through the fourth quarter, but Ateneo responded with a furious 15-0 run to take a 79-75 lead with 1:52 remaining.
But it proved to be Ateneo’s last hurrah as NU’s Aloha Betanio scored in the next play to pull NU to within 776-79. It was all Pingol show after that.
After 23-year-old Pingol tied the count at 79-all with a daring layup, she exhibited steely resolve, sinking four free throws in succession to avert an embarrassing collapse and extend their winning streak to four games in five starts.
Kacey Dela Rosa had another monstrous output but it wasn’t enough as Ateneo sustained its back-to-back losses for a 4-2 card.
The 5-foot-7 sweet-shooting guard finished with a game-high of 22 points with six rebounds, two assists, and four steals, while Kristine Cayabyab poured in 19 points for NU.
NU coach DA Olan blamed their near collapse to a maze of errors.
“‘Yung 15-0 run na ‘yun stemmed from our eight turnovers during the fourth quarter which was too much. Those turnovers, all of which, I think they converted to points. Learning lessons for us,” said Olan.Marylene Solis and Marga Villanueva also impressed for the Lady Bulldogs as they combined for 23 points.
Kacey Dela Rosa, for her part, had a stellar 18-point, 16-rebound statline which went with four assists, and one block, while Kailah Oani added 17. Gracie Batongbakal, Camille Malagar, and Sarah Makanjuola added 12 points each for Ateneo.
Meanwhile in juniors division, NU-Nazareth School imposed its will and annihilated Ateneo, 99-74, to keep its record pristine in seven games.
In the other game, University of Santo Tomas slipped past Adamson, 87-86, for its third straight win that hiked its record to 5-2 at second.
The scores:
NU (83) – Pingol 22, Cayabyab 19, Solis 12, Villanueva 11, Betanio 7, D. Medina 6, Surada 5, Pring 1, S. Medina 0, Canindo 0, Garcia 0, Alterado 0.
Ateneo (79) – Dela Rosa 18, Oani 17, Batongbakal 12, Malagar 12, Makanjuola 12, Villacruz 3, De Luna 3, Cancio 2, Cruza 0, Lopez 0.
Quarterscores: 28-24, 43-36, 66-56, 83-79.
