CIELO Pagdulagan preserved National University's run of perfection to close in on the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball crown thanks to a thrilling 72-71 Game One victory over rival University of Santo Tomas Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The soon-to-be-named Rookie of the Year drilled the game-winning layup with 50.3 seconds left to make up for her 3-of-12 shooting to finish with nine points and five rebounds, as the Lady Bulldogs moved a win away from their title reclamation dreams.
"The mindset of our team was very important to get Game One. We should not look at the results right away, let the results take care of itself," said coach Aris Dimaunahan, with he and his wards now 15-0 in this campaign.
Karl Ann Pingol paced her side with 18 points, nine rebounds, three steals, two assists, and one block, while Camille Clarin got 12 points, four boards, two assists, and two steals.
Angel Surada chipped in nine points, five rebounds, three assists, and one block, as the Lady Bulldogs rallied back from nine points down in the third frame and tied the game at 65 with 5:58 left to play to set up the frantic finish.
NU can finish the job on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena, as it seeks its eighth crown in nine seasons. More pointedly, the blue-and-gold hope to avenge its title loss to the Growling Tigresses last season.
UST leaned on Kent Pastrana's 22 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two assists, but her travelling violation in the final minute denied the defending champions the W.
Tacky Tacatac also had a shot to win the game, but muffed her late three, as she only had eight points, three assists, two boards, and two steals.
The Scores:
NU 72 – Pingol 18, Clarin 12, Pagdulagan 9, Surada 9, Fabruada 8, Betanio 6, Konateh 6, Cayabyab 3, Canuto 1, Villanueva 0, Solis 0.
UST 71 – Pastrana 22, Santos 12, Tacatac 8, Soriano 7, Maglupay 7, Ambos 7, Bron 6, Sierba 2, Danganan 0, Serrano 0.
Quarters: 16-26, 37-46, 57-57, 72-71.
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.
