NU shakes off Ateneo, improves record to 8-0
National University maintained its flawless record in the second round of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday, October 13, with a commanding 20-point victory against Ateneo, 82-62, at the Araneta Coliseum.
Rookie Cielo Pagdulagan delivered her usual fine form for the Lady Bulldogs with 16 points along with seven assists, six rebounds, and five steals without committing a turnover to end the match with a game-high plus-27 rating off the bench.
In their first round matchup, Ateneo had given NU everything it had before the Lady Bulldogs clinched 66-58. This time, they had less difficulty, taking control of the game with a 20-point second quarter and winning by a significant margin.
"The one week break that happened between the first round and the second round really helped us in preparing for this game specifically because we had a lot of time processing and laying down the game plan," said NU coach Aris Dimaunahan.
Banking on the absence of Ateneo’s leading player Junize Calago, who fouled out early in the third quarter at 7:18, the Lady Bulldogs extended their lead to a game-high 22 points, 56-34, courtesy of Aloha Betanio’s layup and triple.
Betanio recorded 11 markers, five boards, three dimes, and four deflections, while May Canuto supplemented 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
Jainaba Konateh and Camille Clarin each provided eight and seven markers, while Angel Surada only managed to score three points on one of four shots but still pulled down eight rebounds.
The Lady Bulldogs hope to keep their record unblemished when they face the UP Fighting Maroons next Sunday, October 20, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Meanwhile, Kacey Dela Rosa tallied her eight consecutive double-double with 22 points and 17 rebounds, as well as an assists and a block, while Nigerian center Sarah Makanjoula was limited to seven markers on 2-of-8 shooting but still managed to finish with 11 boards, two deflections, one rejections, and one dimes.
After fouling out, Calago posted six points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals, but also committed six turnovers.
Ateneo will strive to end a two-game losing streak against the reigning champions Growling Tigresses next Saturday, October 19, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Scores:
NU (82) - Pagdulagan 16, Betanio 11, Canuto 11, Konateh 8, Clarin 7, Villanueva 6, Pingol 5, Fabruada 4, Solis 4, Cayabyab 3, Surada 3, Ico 2, Alterado 2, Pring 0, Talas 0
Ateneo (62) - Dela Rosa 22, Makanjuola 7, Cruza 7, Calago 6, Batongbakal 6, Oani 6, Angala 5, Villacruz 2, Eufemiano 1, Nieves 0, Aquirre 0, Olivenza 0, Cancio 0, Lopez 0, Fetalvero 0.
Quarter Scores: 19-14, 39-25, 64-47, 82-62.
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The East Asia Super League (EASL) is officially set to raise the curtain on its new season with a twin opening in Taipei and Tokyo on October 8, 2025 — a move that reflects the league’s expanding reach and growing stature as Asia’s premier basketball competition.
All eyes in Taiwan will be on the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium, which will host a blockbuster doubleheader featuring some of the region’s most decorated clubs.
The action tips off with a clash between the B.LEAGUE champions Utsunomiya Brex and the P. LEAGUE+ runners-up Taipei Fubon Braves. Utsunomiya, led by veteran guard Makoto Hiejima, entered as one of Japan’s most successful franchises. The Braves, meanwhile, look to prove their resilience after falling short in a grueling seven-game finals series last season, banking on the leadership of Chinese Taipei legend Lin Chih-Chieh.
The second game of the night brings a rematch between the P. LEAGUE+ champions Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and Japan’s Ryukyu Golden Kings. Their last encounter came in the 2025 EASL Final Four semifinals, where Taoyuan stunned Ryukyu, 71–64. This time, the Golden Kings are eager for redemption, while the Pilots hope to reaffirm their place among Asia’s elite.
Game schedule (HKT):
- Utsunomiya vs. Taipei Fubon – 6:30 PM
- Taoyuan vs. Ryukyu – 8:30 PM
China came within a single basket of toppling Oceania powerhouse Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup final, bowing 90-89 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but sending a clear message that it remains a force in Asian basketball.
The Chinese squad, bannered by Hu Mingxuan and Hu Jinqiu, led by as many as 15 points through three quarters before faltering in the final minutes against the defending champions. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the performance was a reminder of China’s proud basketball heritage and its potential return to continental supremacy.
Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals after triumphing over host nation Saudi Arabia in a tense 95-88 overtime victory on Monday, August 11 (Tuesday, August 12 in Manila) at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Justin Brownlee once again showed his ‘Never Say Die’ attitude after drilling a contested three-pointer with 3.7 seconds left to force the extra period. He went on to finish with 29 points, five assists, and four rebounds, paving the way for a quarterfinal showdown with two-time defending champion Australia on Wednesday, August 13.
Brownlee’s heroics set the stage for Kevin Quiambao, who buried two triples in OT to complete a 17-point performance alongside three dimes and three deflections.
"It was a special game, it was a special performance from both teams," said head coach Tim Cone. "They (Saudi Arabia) posed a lot of problems for us, and by all rights, they had the game won — except for the guy sitting to my right (Brownlee). If you know his history, that’s not unusual. He’s been hitting big shots."
AJ Edu anchored the middle with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, while Dwight Ramos chipped in 13 markers, 10 boards, three dimes, and a rejection.
Beyond Brownlee’s late-game magic, the Philippines secured the win by neutralizing Saudi Arabia’s high-scoring duo of Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Mohammed Alsuwailem in the extra frame.
Abdur-Rahkman erupted for 33 points on 8-of-14 shooting from deep, while Alsuwailem tallied 26 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks — but the two combined for only five points in OT as Gilas closed the door on the hosts’ upset bid.
The Scores:
Philippines 95 – Brownlee 29, Edu 17, Quiambao 17, Ramos 13, Fajardo 6, Tamayo 5, Thompson 4, Newsome 4, Malonzo 0, Perez 0, Aguilar 0.
Saudi Arabia 88 – Abdur-Rahkman 33, Alsuwailem 26, Almuwallad 10, Abdel Gabar 8, Ma. Almarwani 4, Belal 3, Kadi 3, Mo. Almarwani 1, Shubayli 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 40-37, 60-59, 79-79 (reg.), 95-88 (OT).