By MARK REY MONTEJO
National University displayed its championship poise and escaped with 67-66 thriller over Ateneo to barge into finals of the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday, Dec. 3.
Down by eight, 57-65, midway of the payoff period, Marga Villanueva, Kristine Cayabyab, and Karl Ann Pingol conspired in a 9-1 blitz, before Angel Surada capped it off with a vital free throw that sealed the match for the Lady Bulldogs.
With two seconds left, the Blue Eagles had it chance to steal the game, but Hannah Lopez’s three-point attempt was ultimately denied as she was blocked by NU’s Aloha Betanio
Apart from securing its 11 consecutive championship berths, NU arranged a finals rematch against the still undefeated University of Santo Tomas this Saturday, Dec. 6.
“Speechless. Sabi ko nga, we were not playing that well during this game, but ang positive thing for this game is our players,” said DA Olan, who guided NU back to the finals in his maiden year as a head coach.
“Everybody, did not quit. Hindi sila sumuko hanggang dulo kahit things are not going our way. ‘Yong kagustuhan manalo, hindi ko na maituturo sa kanila ‘yon, sila mismo, they did not quit hanggang final buzzer,” he added.
Villanueva topcored for the Lady Bulldogs with 16 points apart from posting three rebounds, one block, and two steals, while Surada and Cayabyab chipped in 15 points apiece.
Pingol, for her part, collected 10 points, six rebounds, one assist, and five steals to help NU boost its two-peat bid.
Kacey Dela Rosa impressed with a monstrous 18 points, 22 rebounds, six assists, and three steals statline, while Camille Malagar, who sparked their fourth-quarter surge with Lopez, posted 18 points, six rebounds, one assist, and two steals. Their efforts all went down the drain.
In the 16U division, Far Eastern University-Diliman struck back at University of Santo Tomas, 82-75, to set up a title duel against unscathed NU-Nazareth School also Saturday.
The scores:
NU (67) – Villanueva 16, Surada 15, Cayabyab 15, Pingol 10, Solis 6, Betanio 4, D. Medina 1, Garcia 0, Pring 0, S. Medina 0.
Ateneo (66) – Dela Rosa 18, Malagar 18, Oani 9, Makanjoula 7, Lopez 5, Villacruz 4, Batongbakal 3, De Luna 2, Cancio 0, Olivenza 0.
Quarters: 12-12, 34-36, 49-48, 67-66.
