CAMILLE Clarin made sure National University’s immaculate record remained unblemished powering her side to a 64-59 comeback win over University of the Philippines on Sunday at UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Her clutch three with 45.2 seconds remaining proved to be the biggest of her four long bombs in the payoff period as the Lady Bulldogs battled from an 11-point hole and secured their 10th win in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament.
“Even if yung first seven attempts niya sablay, hindi nawala yung concentration niya, hindi nawala yung confidence niya to hoist up a shot when it matters the most,” said coach Aris Dimaunahan of Clarin, who had 13 of her 16 points in the fourth to go with five assists and four rebounds.
Karl Ann Pingol chipped in 14 points, rookie Cielo Pagdulagan got 11, and Angel Surada had 10 points and nine boards for the Final Four-bound NU.
UP, on the other hand, dropped to 3-8 and finds itself on the brink of elimination.
Kaye Pesquera carried the torch for the Lady Maroons with her 16 points, while Louna Ozar just missed out on a double-double with her nine points, nine rebounds, and three assists in the losing cause.
FEU Stays Alive
In the first game, Far Eastern University kept itself alive in the Final Four race with a 57-51 escape from University of the East.
“Sabi ko naman sa kanila, whoever is willing to fight for the team, ‘yun yung gagamitin natin and ‘yun yung maglalaro inside the court. Itong mga crucial moments na ito, ito yung mga kailangan namin na may nag-step up talaga,” said coach Raiza Palmera-Dy as the Morayta dribblers rose to a 3-8 card.
MJ Manguiat anchored the Lady Tamaraws with 22 points, five rebounds, two steals, and one assist, Erica Lopez chipped in eight points, four boards, four assists, and one steal, and Shane Salvani grabbed 10 rebounds, five assists, and one block despite being held to just seven.
UE dropped to 1-10 despite the efforts of Rachel Lacayanga, who tallied 15 points, two rebounds, two steals, and one assist, and Kamba Kone’s 12 points, nine boards, and one steal.
The Scores:
First Game:
FEU 57 – Manguiat 22, Lopez 8, Salvani 7, Dela Torre 6, Nagma 5, Villanueva 4, Paras 4, Pasilang 1, Ong 0.
UE 51 – Lacayanga 15, Kone 12, Ganade 10, Ronquillo 7, Vacalares 5, Cruz 2, Buscar 0, Yanez 0, Dalguntas 0, Lumibao 0.
Quarters: 15-18, 31-29, 47-36, 57-51.
Second Game:
NU 64 - Clarin 16, Pingol 14, Pagdulagan 11, Surada 10, Cayabyab 7, Konateh 4, Canuto 1, Betanio 1, Fabruada 0, Solis 0, Villanueva 0.
UP 59 - Pesquera 16, Ozar 9, Bariquit 6, Maw 6, Tapawan 4, Sauz 4, Nolasco 4, Vingno 3, Jimenez 3, Solitario 2, Lozada 2, Quinquinio 0, Barba 0.
Quarters: 8-17, 25-29, 44-48, 64-59.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
