MANILA, Philippines – The NU Lady Bulldogs relayed a loud statement in its UAAP women’s basketball title-redemption bid in Season 87, pulling away in the second half before hanging against defending champion UST in their finals rematch, 75-69, at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, September 21.
Jainaba Konateh produced a line unusual from centers in the huge win, tallying a game-high 17 points on a near-perfect 11-of-12 free-throw clip and 3-of-3 from the field to go with 9 rebounds in just 15 minutes.
Down 24 late in the third quarter, 37-61, the Growling Tigresses fired off a massive comeback attempt through the fourth to the tune of a 24-7 barrage off multiple triples from its standouts, and got as near as 61-68 with 4:55 to play.
However, UST ran out of gas just before the finish line as NU recreated a 9-point separation off a Cielo Pagdulagan layup at the 2:22 mark, 75-64, to put the game away for good.
“I thought it was learning again even though we got the win. We’re happy with the win but there is a lot of work to be done moving forward in this season. We must get better at protecting leads,” said NU head coach Aris Dimaunahan.
Camille Clarin scattered 14 points, 5 boards, and 4 assists, while Angel Surada churned out an 11-point, 14-rebound double-double as NU remained the lone undefeated team in the women’s wars with a 4-0 record, in turn sending UST down a 3-1 slate.
Rookie Gin Relliquette paced the forgettable loss with 12 points in just as many minutes, as veterans Eka Soriano and Kent Pastrana got clamped to just 8 and 7 points, respectively, on a combined 4-of-20 clip.
Meanwhile, the Adamson Lady Falcons kept plugging away in their dark horse contender campaign after denying the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 77-72, for a 3-1 record tie with champion UST.
Elaine Etang scored a team-high 15, though only on 4-of-20 shooting. Em Adeshina added 13 points and 5 rebounds as Kazel Mazo – a diminutive hero at just 4-foot-9, added 11 points in 13 minutes with a stunning +27 plus-minus in just a 5-point win.
Kim Limbago only had 5 points in the win on a 1-of-2 clip from deep, but her lone made three gave Adamson a much-needed 74-70 separation in the game’s last minute that essentially sealed the deal for the Lady Falcons.
Junize Calago saw a huge 25-point, 10-board double-double go to waste along with Sarah Makanjuola’s 21 points and 7 rebounds as Ateneo sunk to a 2-2 record.
MVP Kacey dela Rosa only shot three times on the way to a 10-point, 18-rebound double-double, while guard Kailah Oani limped to a messy 34-minute outing with 7 points on 0-of-6 shooting, 7-of-7 free throws, and a staggering 11 of the Eagles’ 33 turnovers.
The Scores
First Game
NU 75 – Konateh 17, Clarin 14, Surada 11, Pagdulagan 9, Pingol 9, Cayabyab 6, Fabruada 4, Betanio 3, Canuto 2, Solis 0, Talas 0.
UST 69 – Relliquette 12, Santos 11, Dionisio 10, Soriano 8, Pastrana 7, Bron 6, Maglupay 5, N. Danganan 5, Sierba 3, Ambos 2, Serrano 0, Pineda 0.
Quarters: 24-16, 41-30, 62-42, 75-69.
Second Game
Adamson 77 – Etang 15, Adeshina 13, Mazo 11, E. Alaba 7, Agojo 7, Limbago 5, Apag 5, Meniano 5, Padilla 3, Ornopia 3, Manlimos 3, Bajo 0, Cortez 0, A. Alaba 0.
Ateneo 72 – Calago 25, Makanjoula 21, Dela Rosa 10, Oani 7, Villacruz 7, Batongbakal 2, Eufemanio 0, Cancio 0, Angala 0, Olivenza 0, Aquirre 0.
Quarters: 16-24, 29-37, 58-55, 77-72.
– Rappler.com
