ANTIPOLO - National University bagged win No. 75, taking it at the expense of Ateneo, 76-52, to go 11-0 in the UAAP Season 81 women's basketball tournament Sunday at Ynares Center.
The Lady Bulldogs frontline were unmatched in the tussle as Jack Animam uncorked 20 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, two assists and one steal, while Rhena Itesi scattered 14 points, grabbed 22 rebounds and swatted two shots in another blowout victory.
Ria Nabalan had 10 points, three assists and two boards, while rookie Princess Fabruada stepped up with eight points and seven rebounds.
NU coach Patrick Aquino admitted that his side played with less pressure this time.
"Actually, natanggalan na. Tapos na yung record-breaking game," he said, noting that focus now is on the quest for a fifth straight title.
"Tapos na yun. Let's just forget about it. History has been done already," he said. "We have to take it one game at a time and we have to focus on our next goal which is go to the championship and win the championship."
Jhazmin Jozon had 11 points, five rebounds and three assists. while Jolina Go also got 11 for Ateneo, which dropped to 4-7.
In the first game, Far Eastern University did just enough to hold off University of the East, 64-57.
The Lady Tamaraws rode the heroics of Valerie Mamaril, who poured 17 points, six rebounds, five assists and a steal, as she made up for the foul-plagued game of Clare Castro, who was held to just eight points and nine boards.
FEU remained in solo second with a 8-3 card.
"Lahat ng game namin importante na," said Mamaril. "Pag nakuha namin yung UE, UP, at Adamson, makukuha na namin yung second. Kaya ginawa namin lahat sa laro na ito para manalo kami."
Anna Requiron led UE with 18 points and 12 rebounds as the Lady Warriors suffered their third straight defeat to drop to 2-9.
The scores:
First Game
FEU 64 - Mamaril 17, Adriano 9, Taguiam 8, Castro 8, Quiapo 6, Bahuyan 6, Antiola 5, Vidal 5, Payadon 0, Bastastas 0, Hortaleza 0.
UE 57 - Requiron 19, Ganade 14, Cortizano 10, P. Pedregosa 8, Francisco 6, Borromeo 0, Strachan 0, Nama 0, Fernandez 0.
Quarterscores: 10-10; 27-21; 43-42; 64-57.
Second Game
NU 76 - Animam 20, Itesi 14, Nabalan 10, Fabruada 8, Del Carmen 6, Pingol 6, Camelo 5, Layug 3, Cac 2, Canuto 2, Bartolo 0, Cacho 0, Ceño 0, Goto 0, Harada 0.
Ateneo 52 - Joson 11, Go 11, Guytingco 7, Cancio 7, Buendia 5, Newsome 4, Nimes 3, Villamor 2, De Dios 0, Payac 0, Gino-gino 0, Moslares 0, Seigle 0.
Quarterscores: 15-11; 33-23; 55-35; 76-52.