NU Lady Bulldogs retain UAAP women’s cage crown for 6th straight season

By Kristel Satumbaga

National University remained invincible for the sixth straight year after clobbering University of Santo Tomas 66-54 on Saturday for the UAAP season 82 women’s basketball crown at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The feat extended the Lady Bulldogs’ imposing winning streak to 96 games dating back July 13, 2014, sweeping their best-of-three finals series against the Tigresses following a 70-65 Game 1 victory last Wednesday.

It was a dominating season for NU, winning by an average margin of 31.8 points with UST coming close twice to spoiling its unblemished record: at the end of the eliminations (74-70) and in Game 1 of the finals.

“We’re just happy with everything, happy for the school and the players who have been here and done that, happy to be part of this,” said NU coach Pat Aquino.

But the Lady Bulldogs made sure they keep their momentum going, leading by as many as 24 points courtesy of Monique Del Carmen, Kaye Pingol and Rhena Itesi.

Del Carmen paced with 15 points, two boards, four assists and two steals to be later adjudged as the Finals Most Valuable Player, outshining Season MVP Grace Irebu who managed 11 points and 10 boards in a losing effort for UST.

Pingol chipped in 15 points and five boards, while Itesi contributed 12 points and eight rebounds to step up in the absence of Jack Animam, who was still recuperating from a right orbital fracture sustained during the FIBA Women’s Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament in New Zealand.

“It’s sad without Jack, but I told the players, ‘Let’s not take away what he missed. Let’s give this to Jack, and all the seniors,” said Aquino.

Scores:

NU 66 – Pingol 15, Del Carmen 15, Itesi 12, Hayes 9, Cacho 7, Canuto 3, Clarin 3, Surada 2, Bartolo 0, Cac 0, Fabruada 0, Goto 0, Harada 0.

UST 54 – Ferrer 16, Irebu 11, Portillo 7, Soriano 6, Panti 5, Tacatac 4, Callangan 3, Rivera 2, Gandalla 0, Gonzales 0, Javier 0.

Quarters: 25-8, 36-23, 46-36, 66-54.

Source: Manila Bulletin