NATIONAL University (NU) crushed University of the East, 131-47, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s basketball tournament Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Bulldogs, the six-time reigning champions, played 5×5 for the first time since November 2019 but were lethal nonetheless and stretched their historic winning streak to 97 games dating back to 2014.
NU recorded the most points in the league’s women’s basketball history since the computerization of stats, surpassing University of Santo Tomas’s 129 points on September 22, 2018, against University of the Philippines.
“We’re just happy that basketball for women’s back and I want to congratulate the girls for starting this season with a convincing win,” said Lady Bulldogs coach Aris Dimaunahan after his record-breaking debut.
“It was a statement to the UAAP that we’re back. New coach, new players, but we still have the same culture and same goal,” said Camille Clarin, who led the onslaught with 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Under former head coach Pat Aquino, NU’s highest scoring output was 112 against De La Salle University in September 11, 2019.
NU stamped its class from the get-go, zooming to a 38-11 first quarter lead before holding the Lady Warriors to just two points in the second period while dropping another 30 points to end the half, 68-13.
The domination continued in the second half, reaching the 100-point mark with less than two minutes left in the third period.
Karl Pingol had 16 points, six rebounds and six of the 22 steals of the Lady Bulldogs. Tin Cayabyab added 14 points while Annick Tiky had 11 points and eight rebounds in her first and only year for NU.
Angel Surada tallied the game’s only double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Gypsy Canuto got seven points and 10 assists.
They feasted on the Lady Warriors’ 35 turnovers, scoring 40 easy points off them, while also having 41 fastbreak points.
Joyce Terrinal and Kamba Kone paced UE with 10 points apiece.
NU will next face Ateneo on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. The Lady Warriors will follow at 1 p.m. against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws.
Ateneo survived FEU’s tough stand, 67-64, also on Sunday.
Lj Miranda put the Blue Eagles ahead by three after a booming corner triple with 18.2 seconds left and Angel Obien’s attempt to send the game to overtime was too strong for the Lady Tamaraws.
FEU clawed its way back from 14 points down with a 20-10 third quarter run.
” I was expecting this … that we will be full of jitters. Outside of Jhaz, 15 of our players have not even really played here at MOA,” Ateneo head coach LA Mumar said.
Miranda led Ateneo with 17 points to go with eight rebounds while Jhaz Joson added 14 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
Rookie Kacey Dela Rosa had a debut to remember with 14 points, 14 rebounds, six blocks and three steals.
Camille Taguiam was at the forefront of FEU’s attack with 10 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists, barely missing a triple-double. She, however, committed seven turnovers.