ANTIPOLO — Congolese center Rhena Itesi showed the way as National University routed Ateneo, 78-51, on Sunday in the UAAP Season 82 women's basketball tournament at Ynares Center.
The Lady Bulldogs went to their strength down low, with Itesi pouring 25 points, 21 rebounds, five blocks and two assists to keep their historic streak going at 86 games while also remaining at the top of the standings with their 6-0 slate.
"She's definitely big for us," said coach Pat Aquino. "We've been training with Jack and Kelli out, and Rhena's gonna be the only big girl there. So we try to push her a little bit more."
Kelli Hayes contributed 11 points, four rebounds and two assists, as Jack Animam still made her presence felt with seven points, seven boards and four dimes despite playing for just 15 minutes.
Hayes, Animam and Aquino will join the Gilas women’s team in Bangalore for the 2019 Fiba Women's Asia Cup.
Rookie Angel Surada registered a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds with four steals and two dimes, while Mikka Cacho got eight points and three boards, with her charities at the 3:27 mark of the fourth quarter giving NU a 30-point edge, 73-43.
Their standout showing were much appreciated by the Lady Bulldogs, who are missing the services of the Kaye Pingol and Melody Cac due to illnesses.
Kat Guytingco fired 17 points and six rebounds for the skidding Lady Eagles (2-3), which have now lost their last three outings.
In the second game, University of Santo Tomas halted its two-game skid with a 56-55 victory over Far Eastern University.
Offensive rebounding was the biggest difference for the Golden Tigresses in the clutch as they were able to clean up their miscues to salvage the win and douse the Lady Tamaraws' raging rally from 13-points down.
"We are lucky to win this game," said coach Haydee Ong. "We had crucial passing errors that were converted by FEU. We are just fortunate to get this one."
Grace Irebu captained UST with 21 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.
Choy Bahuyan's split from the line sliced the lead down to one with 1:33 remaining, but an off-shooting Clare Castro could not take FEU home as she missed her short stab with 27 seconds remaining.
Lon Rivera provided support for the Golden Tigresses with nine points, five rebounds and two assists, as Jeorge Panti got seven points, six boards and two dimes.
UST joined FEU and Adamson in second place at 3-2.
Bahuyan scored 16 points and five rebounds for FEU, as she was helped by Judy Abat who had 12 points, five boards, two assists, and two steals.
Castro shot 1-of-10 from the field and finished with three points and six rebounds.
The scores:
First Game
NU 78 - Itesi 25, Hayes 11, Surada 11, Cacho 8, Animam 7, Bartolo 4, Clarin 4, Harada 4, Canuto 2, Fabruada 2, Del Carmen 0, Goto 0.
Ateneo 51 - Guytingco 17, Chu 9, Yam 9, Villamor 6, Joson 4, Cancio 2, Moslares 2, Payac 2, De Dios 0, Newsome 0, Nimes 0, Villacruz 0.
Quarterscores: 16-19; 33-29; 59-39; 78-51.
Second Game
UST 56 - Irebu 21, Rivera 9, Panti 7, Callangan 5, Ferrer 3, Gonzales 3, Soriano 3, Tacatac 3, Portillo 2, Gandalla 0, Javier 0.
FEU 55 - Bahuyan 16, Abat 12, Jumuad 10, Mamaril 6, Quiapo 5, Castro 3, Vidal 3, Adriano 0, Antiola 0, Bastatas 0, Delos Santos 0, Payadon 0.
Quarterscores: 19-15; 32-27; 49-42; 56-55.
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