UAAP Women’s Basketball: NU denies UST late comeback; Adamson powers past Ateneo
The National University Lady Bulldogs crumbled the hopes of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses of retaining their crown with a 75-69 win in the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball Finals at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, September 21.
The Growling Tigresses made an effort to rally past NU in the third quarter with seven points, 68-61, anchored from three straight three-pointers courtesy of Karylle Sierba, Eka Soriano, and Kent Pastrana.
Determined to duplicate their win in Game 3, the Tigresses hauled a 14-point deficit led by rookie Gin Relliquette who basketed a three-pointer to make it 71-64.
However, the Lady Bulldogs weathered the late comeback of the Tigresses as they recreated a 9-point separation off Cielo Pagdugagan’s layup at the 2:22 mark, 75-64, to seal NU’s victory.
“We’re happy with the win but there’s a lot of work to be done in moving forward with this season. We must get better at protecting leads,” said NU coach Aris Dimaunahan, urging the team to fix its lapses.
Jainaba Konateh tallied a game-high 17 points along with nine rebounds, while Camille Clarin paced the team with 14 markers, 5 boards, and 4 assists.
Angel Surada finished with a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds as NU remained the lone undefeated team in the women’s basketball tournament with a 4-0 record, sending UST down to a 3-1 slate.
Relliquette, on the other hand, finished with a team-high 12 markers. Bridgette Santos also scored 11 along with five assists, four rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.
Meanwhile, the Adamson Lady Falcons overturned a fourth quarter deficit against Ateneo Lady Eagles to claim a 78-72 victory, for a record tie of 3-1 with UST.
The Lady Falcons recovered a slim 71-70 lead as Elaine Etang sank two crucial free throws. Ateneo was hell-bent on reclaiming the lead but a turnover committed by Kailah Oani after the timeout left Kim Limbago to basket a three-pointer with 42.4 seconds to go.
The Lady Eagles once again lost the ball following another timeout, forcing Junize Calago to foul Etang who sank another free throw to give the Lady Falcons a 75-70 cushion with 36.5 seconds left.
Kat Agojo sealed the win for Adamson by netting two free throws after a foul from Sandra Villacruz.
Etang paced the team with 15 points and five rebounds followed by Nigerian center Victoria Adeshina with 13 and five boards.
The Scores:
First Game
NU 75 – Konateh 17, Clarin 14, Surada 11, Pagdulagan 9, Pingol 9, Cayabyab 6, Fabruada 4, Betanio 3, Canuto 2, Solis 0, Talas 0.
UST 69 – Relliquette 12, Santos 11, Dionisio 10, Soriano 8, Pastrana 7, Bron 6, Maglupay 5, N. Danganan 5, Sierba 3, Ambos 2, Serrano 0, Pineda 0.
Quarters: 24-16, 41-30, 62-42, 75-69.
Second Game
Adamson 77 – Etang 15, Adeshina 13, Mazo 11, E. Alaba 7, Agojo 7, Limbago 5, Apag 5, Meniano 5, Padilla 3, Ornopia 3, Manlimos 3, Bajo 0, Cortez 0, A. Alaba 0.
Ateneo 72 – Calago 25, Makanjoula 21, Dela Rosa 10, Oani 7, Villacruz 7, Batongbakal 2, Eufemanio 0, Cancio 0, Angala 0, Olivenza 0, Aquirre 0.
Quarters: 16-24, 29-37, 58-55, 77-72.
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San Miguel’s well-balanced offense saw five players score in double figures, including Jericho Cruz and Rodney Brondial with 12 apiece, and Don Trollano who chipped in 11.
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Jamie Malonzo added 20 points with four rebounds and two assists, while Japeth Aguilar chipped in 18 markers alongside seven boards, two dimes, three steals, and two blocks in a vintage two-way showing.
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CJ Perez and Jericho Cruz added 11 points apiece, while Juami Tiongson rounded out the Beermen’s double-digit scorers with 10.
Ginebra edged SMB 23-20 in the opening quarter, but the Beermen fought back strong in the second to take a 50-46 halftime lead. That momentum didn't last, as Ginebra responded with a commanding 25-14 third period to retake control at 71-64, then sealed the win with a 29-26 finish in the final frame.
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