MANILA – National University Lady Bulldogs turned back University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses in Game 3, 78-73, to rule the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Rookie Cielo Pagdulagan stood tall with 21 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals as the Lady Bulldogs captured their eighth championship in the last nine seasons.
“Super happy pero ‘yung mga awards naman na nakuha ko bonus lang sa akin kasi ang goal naman talaga namin ay ‘yung championship,” said Pagdulagan, becoming the first rookie to win Finals MVP since her teammate Tin Cayabyab in Season 85.
Angel Surada and Camille Clarin added 14 markers apiece, while Karl Ann Pingol contributed 10 markers for the Lady Bulldogs, which successfully avenged their Season 86 finals defeat to the Growling Tigresses.
From a 38-all score at the half, the Lady Bulldogs went on a huge tear in the third quarter behind the offense of Pagdulagan, Surada, Pingol, and Clarin to establish a 65-50 advantage.
The Lady Bulldogs maintained the double-digit lead before the Growling Tigresses made their last push behind Ana Tacatac and Karylle Sierba to cut the deficit to 70-75, but free throws by Clarin sealed the championship for NU.
“These players were on it since Day 1 ng training camp namin. We asked so much from them pero hindi mo matatawaran yung effort nila every day,” said NU head coach Aris Dimaunahan.
“I’m just very satisfied because today, this is the fruit of our labor. I’m really satisfied with how they conducted themselves today. Lahat lahat lahat binigay ang lahat para sa redemption year na ito,” he added.
Sierba finished with 20 points, Tacatac added 14 markers, while Growling Tigresses star Kent Jane Pastrana struggled with just seven points, on 3-of-10 field goal shooting.
BOX SCORE:
NU 78 – Pagdulagan 21, Surada 14, Clarin 14, Pingol 10, Cayabyab 5, Fabruada 4, Konateh 4, Canuto 3, Betanio 3, Villanueva 0, Bartolo 0.
UST 73 – Sierba 20, Tacatac 14, Santos 8, Soriano 8, Pastrana 7, Maglupay 7, Bron 5, Danganan 4, Ambos 0, Serrano 0.
Quarterscores: 17-17, 38-38, 65-50, 78-73.
