NATIONAL U weathered the late Ateneo assault to come away with the 83-79 triumph in the UAAP Season 88 women's basketball tournament on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Karl Ann Pingol salvaged the Lady Bulldogs in this crucial tiff, scoring all of her team's final eight points, including the game-sealing freebies with 2.2 seconds to go to cap off her 22-point outing that also came with six rebounds, four steals, and two assists.
She picked the right time to wax hot, taking over for the Jhocson crew after the Blue Eagles staged a scathing 15-0 run to flip the game from a 75-64 deficit to a 79-75 lead with 1:48 to play.
"We were too relaxed from that stretch, but I'm happy with the composure our veterans showed when [Ateneo] was making its run," said coach DA Olan. "Sabi ko naman sa kanila, when we follow our game plan, good things happen."
NU rules, I count 'em
Tin Cayabyab added 19 points, five rebounds, four steals, and three assists, Marylene Solis chimed in 12 points, three boards, and two dimes, and Marga Villanueva scored 11 points on 3-of-8 shooting from distance, as NU won four straight to hike its record to 5-1.
Kacey dela Rosa topped Ateneo with 18 points and 16 rebounds, four assists, and one block, but her efforts could not stop the blue-and-white from falling to back-to-back defeats.
Kai Oani contributed 17 points and four boards, while Gracie Batongbakal, Camille Malagar, and Sarah Makanjuola had 12 apiece, as they fell to 3-2.
The Scores:
NU 83 – Pingol 22, Cayabyab 19, Solis 12, Villanueva 11, Betanio 7, D. Medina 6, Surada 5, Pring 1, S. Medina 0, Canindo 0, Garcia 0, Alterado 0.
ATENEO 79 – Dela Rosa 18, Oani 17, Batongbakal 12, Malagar 12, Makanjoula 12, Villacruz 3, De Luna 3, Cancio 2, Cruza 0, Lopez 0.
Quarters: 28-24, 43-36, 66-56, 83-79.
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