CODVIP
lucky time UAAP: Lady Bulldogs trim Tigresses a second time
NU Lady Bulldogs’ Camille Clarin hits a 3-pointer against the UST Tigresses in UAAP Season 87.–UAAP PHOTO
Everything has been going well in National University’s (NU) redemption bid in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament.
Perfectly well, in fact.
Article continues after this advertisementAnd heading into the homestretch of the elimination round, it looks like nothing can stop the Lady Bulldogs from pulling off a sweep after they repeated over University of Santo Tomas, the very side that ended National U’s seven-year reign last season and consensus biggest threat.
FEATURED STORIES SPORTS RESULTS: PBA Finals Ginebra vs TNT Game 5 November 6 SPORTS PBA Finals: ‘No excuses’ for Ginebra after crushing Game 5 loss SPORTS PBA Finals: TNT rebounds with Ginebra demolition for 3-2 leadBut for captain Camille Clarin, there is no reason for National U to ease off the pedal, not even after the Lady Bulldogs kept their stranglehold of top spot after a 76-70 escape of the Growling Tigresses at Mall of Asia Arena.
“It feels good to know that the work we’ve been putting in is producing results,” Clarin said after finishing with 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists to lead National U to its 11th straight win. “But it just means that we have to keep working harder.”
Article continues after this advertisement Nearing familiar endingThe Bulldogs are just three more wins short of repeating what they did season after season before the Growling Tigresses, who slid to 9-2, knocked them off their perch last year, and that is to head straight to the Finals with a sweep.
Article continues after this advertisementClarin and the rest of the team are aware of this.
Article continues after this advertisement“[But] all these wins don’t mean anything if we don’t get the next one. So we’re just staying in the moment and continuing to work,” she added.
After a shaky start, NU got its footing back immediately to somehow take control despite the back-and-forth action.
Article continues after this advertisementSanto Tomas held the lead for the last time at 59-57 after Karylle Sierba knocked down a triple, before National U uncorked a telling 13-0 run as the Lady Bulldogs never looked back.
“Just glad that we pulled through on this one because, again, we had a rough start,” coach Aris Dimaunahan said. “But I’m happy with how our players responded.
“Even though they jumped on us early, we didn’t lose focus,” Dimaunahan added.
Clarin drained four of her five triples in the first half, while rookie Cielo Pagdulagan shot 63.6 percent from the field on the way to 17 points for a solid backup effort to Clarin. Karl Pingol added 11 points.
“I take big responsibility in being the captain. I know a lot of these girls look up to me—not necessarily to score, but just to lead the team, to keep us levelheaded the whole game,” Clarin said.
“I know that even if I’m struggling, they have my back. So I have to make sure I do that for them as well.”
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
“Every time we face them, we’re eager to win this game. And I double my efforts when I face them,” Pagdulaganlucky time, who scored seven of her total in the fourth period, said.
READ NEXT UAAP: Lady Bulldogs trim Tigresses a second time PBA Finals: Game 5 win key in avoiding ignominy for Cone, Reyes EDITORS' PICK Kathryn Bernardo, Alden Richards say ‘Hello, Love, Again’ is tribute to OFWs 12 standout works at Art Taipei 2024 LIVE UPDATES: 2024 US presidential election NBA suspends Joel Embiid three games for shoving columnist Zelensky hopes Trump ‘victory’ brings ‘just peace in Ukraine closer’ 154 persons killed, over 8.8 million affected by Kristine, Leon, says NDRRMC MOST READ Comelec: 12 more bets file COCs for BARRM polls LIVE UPDATES: Typhoon Marce Tulfo confirms passenger of SUV on busway is related to a senator Phivolcs, Mati City officials team up vs tsunamis Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments