Defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs are a step closer to successfully defending their title by making the Final Four of UAAP Season 88.
The NU Lady Bulldogs have remained as the class of UAAP women’s basketball over the last decade, only strengthened by an 11-season streak of UAAP Final Four appearances thanks to a big win over La Salle on Sunday in Season 88.
Even as players come and go, the Lady Bulldogs continued to be the epitome of consistency – reaching the Finals in the previous 10 seasons as well, with eight of their trips resulting in championships.
[RELATED: Pingol records first career triple-double as NU clinches UAAP Season 88 Final Four berth]
Though it remains to be seen if NU can take it to the championship round this season, the Lady Bulldogs remain a heavy favorite.
For first year head coach DA Olan, it’s less about who’s on the floor and more about the attitude they approach each and every game that has led to this much success in the past 10 years.
“Well, of course, the winning culture is already established. Pero yun nga, siyempre, every year, nagiiba-iba yung players namin. Players come and go graduate. But the winning culture is there,” Olan said after their win over La Salle.
“In-embrace ng mga bawa't players namin na guma-graduate or coming in yung playing for each other na inuuna namin yung team rather than the individual glory.”
If their game against La Salle is anything to base off of, a win that improved them to 9-1 for the year, there hasn’t been any shortage of teamwork for the defending champions.
NU made 39 field goals in the blowout win over La Salle, 37 of those were assisted.
Lifting teammates up
Among those 37 assists, 11 were dished by veteran Ann Pingol. She finished with a triple-double of 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 dimes.
A first in her career, Pingol didn’t hesitate to credit her teammates’ effort in getting her to where she was against the Lady Archers. Known to be an all-around team, NU was able to push her to individual glory as well.
“Hindi ko rin kasi alam na yun yung stats ko. So, sinasabihan kami ng coaches and yung kasama ko naman sa court, parang, kumbaga, they fed me na ito, kailangan mo nang ganito… Sige kami bahala sa iyo,” she said.
“Parang gano'n, kasi alam nila na hindi ko naman yun magagawa na ako lang. So parang, kailangan ko rin sila… dahil din sa kanila [yung triple-double],” she added.
Apart from their 37 assists, six different NU players also finished in double-digit scoring.
NU’s strength in numbers led to a big win where they led by as many as 38 points late in the game.
The Lady Bulldogs face off against the Adamson Lady Falcons next to strengthen their hold on a top 2 finish when they meet on Saturday, November 8, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.