By Jerome Lagunzad
National University clinched a return trip to the finals in the quickest way possible and put itself right on track for another precious jewel.
The three-time reigning champion Lady Bulldogs poured it all in the third canto to pull away from the University of the East Lady Warriors, 63-50, yesterday and complete a 14-game elimination sweep of the UAAP Season 80 women’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
Veteran NU guard Ria Nabalan dished out an all around performance of 14 points, five rebounds and three assists while Congolese center Rhena Itesi and Jack Animam lorded it over the smaller UE frontline in the paint with 41 combined rebounds.
The Lady Bulldogs, who uncorked a telling 13-3 attack to break away from the Lady Warriors after a tight first half battle, went on to claim their 62nd straight victory since 2014 and move to the finals for the fifth straight time.
Ruthlaine Tacula had 14 points while Anna Requiron and Love Sto. Domingo added at least 10 points apiece but UE could only score four points in that decisive canto, no thanks to NU’s usual suffocating defense.
Despite the loss, the Lady Warriors finished second overall with an 11-3 mark and will be armed with a twice-to-beat advantage in the step-ladder semifinals.
Over at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, host Far Eastern University primed up for the make-or-break stage against No. 3 University of Santo Tomas by turning back Ateneo, 69-60, to finish its elimination round campaign with a three-game winning streak.
The Lady Tamaraws, who wound up at fourth spot with an 8-6 card, got 16 points from Isabel Balleser and 11 points from Precious Arellado.
