NU stalwart Karl Pingol gives her Lady Bulldogs teammates a break with a consistent showing in UAAP Seasn 87 women's basketball Finals Game 1 against the UST Growling Tigresses.
NU Lady Bulldogs mainstay Karl Ann Pingol had no other goals in Game One of their UAAP Season 87 Finals series against the UST Growling Tigresses than to show up for her teammates.
That is, after struggling in their final game of eliminations against the FEU Lady Tamaraws, Pingol wanted to show out — not for pride or for her own benefit, but rather to show her fellow NU players that they can rely on her when it matters most.
After scoring only six points against FEU, Pingol ended up with 18 markers on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting to go along with nine rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one block in a pivotal comeback win over the UST Growling Tigresses.
[RELATED: NU completes comeback from 14 down to take Game 1 of UAAP women's Finals over UST]
Determined to finish their redemption run in Season 87, Pingol became emotional after the game.
“Alam ko naman sa sarili ko, the last eliminations game, nagre-rely lang ako sa kanila, [sa teammates ko]. So, sabi ni Coach Aris [Dimaunahan] na first half, nandoon ako kasi gusto ko na sa'kin naman sila mag-rely, na isipin nila na nandito rin ako para sa kanila,” said Pingol, who broke into tears shortly after.
@onesportsphl ‘YOU DID GREAT, KARL’ 🥹🫶 Karl Pingol couldn't hold back her emotions after the NU Lady Bulldogs' Game 1 Finals win over the UST Growling Tigresses, vowing to always step up for the senior players when needed. Pingol was named Player of the Game, nearly securing a double-double performance of 18 points and nine rebounds. | via Xander Lauren Cipriano/One Sports #OSOnTheSpot #OneSports #LegendsStartHere x #UAAPSeason87 #StrongerBetterTogether
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In the finals opener against UST, the Lady Bulldogs found themselves down by as much as 14 points. But Pingol, one of the more veteran players for NU, continued to keep her team afloat.
Though it was rookie Cielo Pagdulagan who eventually stole the show late in the ball game with her makes, Pingol was the steady force that kept NU within striking distance, even when the Growling Tigresses were streaking.
Digging deep, Pingol said that she simply did what the NU Lady Bulldogs have done all-year long: play for each other.
With her super senior teammates like Camille Clarin wanting to leave the Jhocson squad as champions, Pingol had every push she needed to show up and perform for the redemption-seeking Lady Bulldogs.
“My motivation lang is them, each other lang. Last night kasi, yun nga, about sana ang seniors ko, nagdrama,” quipped Pingol with a teary laugh.
“Tinake ko 'yun as motivation, inspiration na maging ganto sa Game One, na maging aggressive, na kailangan nila ako, na andiyan ako para sa kanila,” she added.
Pingol and the rest of the Lady Bulldogs, who are on the verge of completing a season sweep en route to their 8th title in the last nine seasons, will attempt to shut out the defending champions and regain the title in Game Two.
NU and UST collide on Wednesday, December 11, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.