REDEMPTION realized.
It took a year, but the NU Lady Bulldogs finally regained what’s rightfully theirs.
The Lady Bulldogs recaptured the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball crown with a thrilling 78-73 Game Three triumph over rival University of Santo Tomas Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
"I'm very, very satisfied with how we conducted our year this year. These players were on it from day one of our training camp. We asked so much from them but di mo matatawaran yung effort nila every day. And today is the fruit of our labor," said coach Aris Dimaunahan, who won his second UAAP championship on three years at the helm after succeeding the legendary Pat Aquino from the post.
Cold as Cielo
Rookie of the Year Cielo Pagdulagan keyed NU’s killer third quarter run as a 10-0 blast broke the 38-all deadlock that triggered a 27-point period and grab a 65-50 lead.
She dropped 10 of her 21 points in that pivotal frame, to go with nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals to win the Finals MVP honors and bring the Lady Bulldogs their eighth crown in nine seasons.
One last growl
But the path to vengeance didn’t come easy, especially with the defending champions refusing to quit even after staring at a 72-57 deficit.
UST rallied with a 13-3 assault capped off by a Tacky Tacatac three with 1:45 remaining to get to within five, 75-70.
But the Tigresses could not get any closer, with Camille Clarin securing the game-clinching steal on Karylle Sierba before icing the game with two free throws with 21.8 ticks left.
Clarin finished with 14 points, eight rebounds, and three assists to avenge NU’s defeat in UAAP Season 86.
Angel Surada chipped in 14 points, eight boards, three dimes, and three steals, while Karl Ann Pingol added 10 and eight off the bench for the Lady Bulldogs which still got the job done despite falling short of a perfect season after their 78-68 Game Two defeat four days ago.
Still, there’s no shame for the dethroned champions which leaned on rookie Karylle Sierba’s 20 points.
Tacky Tacatac also scored 14 off four triples in the runner-up finish for UST as it only drew seven points from Mythical Team member Kent Pastrana.
The Scores:
NU 78 – Pagdulagan 21, Clarin 14, Surada 14, Pingol 10, Cayabyab 5, Fabruada 4, Konateh 4, Betanio 3, Canuto 3, Villanueva 0, Bartolo 0.
UST 73 – Sierba 20, Tacatac 14, Santos 8, Soriano 8, Pastrana 7, Maglupay 7, Bron 5, Danganan 4, Serrano 0, Ambos 0.
Quarters: 17-17, 38-38, 65-50, 78-73.
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