By MARK REY MONTEJO
National University used a well-balanced attack and dispatched Ateneo, 66-58, to sweep the first round of the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena Saturday, Oct. 5.
In claiming their seventh straight win, the Bulldogs needed one big salvo – a 6-0 run – to restore order and negate Kacey Dela Rosa’s explosive showing for the Blue Eagles who remained in fourth place with a 4-3 card.
Cielo Pagdunganan anchored the Jhocson-based squad’s scoring with 12 while Tin Cayabyab, Karl Ann Pingol and Angel Cayabyab backed her up with 11, 10, and 10, respectively.
Dela Rosa, the reigning MVP, scattered 21 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals while Junize Calago added 12 in a losing cause.
It was a low-scoring affair in the first two frames with NU taking only a slim 28-26 lead.
The game even got tighter in third, though, but the Bulldogs slowly pulled ahead thanks to Pagdunganan, Pingol, and Cayabyab.
Earlier, University of Santo Tomas banked on a strong start to prevail over FEU, 66-57.
They finished the first round at No. 2 with a 6-1 mark.
Kent Pastrana flashed her fiery form and finished with a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds along with two steals and two blocks while Tacatac added nine points
Meanwhile in the junior high school division, FEU-Dasmarinas (6-1) took the solo second after beating UST (4-3), 90-83, while NUNS (3-4) returned to the winning track following a 91-89 escape over Ateneo.
The scores:
NU 66 – Pagdulagan 12, Cayabyab 11, Pingol 10, Surada 10, Fabruada 8, Betanio 7, Clarin 4, Konateh 2, Solis 2, Canuto 0, Ico 0, Pring 0, Medina 0.
ATENEO 58 – Dela Rosa 21, Calago 12, Makanjoula 9, Aquirre 5, Oani 4, Villacruz 3, Cancio 2, Batongbakal 2, Angala 0, Cruza 0, Nieves 0.
Quarters: 18-13, 28-26, 47-44, 66-58.
