Defending champion NU Lady Bulldogs cruised past UE for five straight wins in the UAAP Season 88 women's basketball tournament.
Defending champion National University dominated University of the East, 83-54, to close the first round of the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament with five consecutive victories, Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Bulldogs ended the round in solo second place with a 6-1 record, trailing only the unbeaten University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses, who stood at 6-0 with a game later in the day against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
“We’re happy with the standing of course, but for this game medyo bad start na naman kami,” said NU head coach DA Olan.
"Good thing nakabawi nung second quarter and second half pero sana hindi kami mag-start nang ganon kasama sa second round."
The Lady Warriors briefly held a 6-5 lead in the opening quarter and stayed within striking distance early in the second period, 20-22, before NU unleashed a decisive 19-6 run to take a 41-26 advantage at halftime.
Ann Pingol sparked that surge with eight points, while Angel Surada, Tin Cayabyab, and Aloha Betanio also chipped in.
The Lady Bulldogs never looked back from there, outscoring UE 23-9 in the third quarter to build an insurmountable 64-35 cushion heading into the final frame.
Pingol delivered a near-flawless performance, finishing with 25 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field and a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line. She also tallied 11 rebounds and three steals.
Cayabyab turned in an all-around effort of 19 points, eight steals, seven assists, and five rebounds, while Surada posted a double-double of 10 points and 15 rebounds, recording a remarkable plus-43 efficiency in just 23 minutes and 40 seconds on the floor.
NU will kick off its second-round campaign on Sunday against Ateneo de Manila University at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Meanwhile, the Lady Warriors ended the first round winless and will look to bounce back against the Adamson Lady Falcons on Saturday at the same Pasay venue.
Moana Vacalares led UE with 18 points and seven rebounds but also committed eight turnovers, while Rachel Lacayanga added 13 points and six boards.
The Scores:
NU (84) – Pingol 25, Cayabyab 19, Surada 10, Canindo 9, Betanio 8, Villanueva 5, S. Medina 4, Pring 2, Solis 2, Ico 0, Garcia 0, Alterado 0, D. Medina 0.
UE (53) – Vacalares 18, Lacayanga 13, Guillim 8, Buscar 5, Onate 4, Dalguntas 3, Trinidad 2, Ronquillo 0, Ramos 0, Gomez 0, Delig 0, Lituania 0.
Quarterscores: 18-11, 41-26, 64-35, 84-53