ANGEL Surada kept her collegiate career going, drilling the marginal freebie, as National U gutted out the 67-66 victory over Ateneo and move forward to the UAAP Season 88 women's basketball finals Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The senior forward grabbed the crucial rebound off of a missed three from Karl Ann Pingol and got fouled on the putback by Sarah Makanjuola with 0.6 seconds remaining.
Though Surada went too strong on her first, she swished the second to give the Lady Bulldogs the lead.
Hannah Lopez still got a chance to steal the win for the Blue Eagles, but her desperation shot was way short, as time expired.
Surada finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, six steals, and two assists to see the Jhocson side reach the championship series for the 11th straight year.
Now, NU rekindles its rivalry with University of Santo Tomas, with Game One of the best-of-three finals set on Saturday.
"Speechless," said coach DA Olan, as the gold-and-blue gets to continue defending its throne. "We weren't playing well during this game, but ang positive thing is the players didn't quit. Yung kagustuhang manalo, 'di na namin maitururo sa kanila yun. Luckily, nakalusot kami."
Marga Villanueva topped the Lady Bulldogs with 16 points built on four treys, as well as three rebounds and two steals, Tin Cayabyab ended up with 15 points, two boards, and two assists, and Season MVP Pingol had 10 points, six rebounds, and five steals.
It was an inspirational fightback from NU which clawed its way out of an eight-point hole, 65-57, with 4:44 to play, before holding Ateneo to a solitary point - a technical freebie from Kai Oani - to progress in the stepladder semifinals.
Kacey dela Rosa powered the Blue Eagles in the loss with 18 points, 22 rebounds, six assists, and three steals, as Camille Malagar got 18 points and six boards in the defeat.
The Scores:
NU 67 – Villanueva 17, Surada 15, Cayabyab 15, Pingol 10, Solis 6, Betanio 4, D. Medina 1, S. Medina 0, Garcia 0, Pring 0.
ATENEO 66 – Dela Rosa 18, Malagar 18, Oani 9, Makanjuola 7, Lopez 5, Villacruz 4, Batongbakal 3, De Luna 2, Cancio 0, Olivenza 0.
Quarters: 12-12, 34-36, 49-48, 67-66.
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