By MARK REY MONTEJO
National University capped off its stellar Season 87 run by outlasting University of Sto. Tomas – the same team that dethroned them two seasons ago – 78-73 in Game 3 of the UAAP women’s tournament finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Dec. 15.
Behind the scintillating fourth quarter performance from rookie Cielo Pagdulagan, the Lady Bulldogs took control and established a 72-57 lead before fending off a late Tigresses fightback to clinch its eighth title in 10 years.
In burying the ghost of the past, NU completed its redemption by winning their best-of-three title series, 2-1.
This time, the title win was extra sweet.
NU established a record in women’s basketball by dominating the league for seven straight years before losing the crown last year.
The Lady Bulldogs, however, made sure they would emerge on top by weathering off UST’s furious comeback – thanks to their superior inside plays that saw them score 36 points against only 16 for UST/
Pagdulagan, who eventually bagged the Finals MVP plum, stood out among the Lady Bulldogs with 21 points on top of nine rebounds, three assists and three steals while Angel Surada and Camille Clarin backed her up with 14 and 11.
Karl Ann Pingol also impressed off the bench with 10 points
Bridgette Santos, unfortunately, failed to conjure her magical 27-point output last game as she was held to just 8 points.
The scores:
NU (78) – Pagdulagan 21, Surada 14, Clarin 14, Pingol 10, Cayabyab 5, Fabruada 4, Konateh 4, Betanio 3, Canuto 3, Bartolo 0, Villanueva 0.
UST (73) – Sierba 20, Tacatac 14, Santos 8, Soriano 8, Pastrana 7, Maglupay 7, Bron 5, Danganan 4, Ambos 0, Serrano 0.
Quarters: 17-17, 38-38, 65-50, 78-73.
