NU's Ann Pingol goes for a shot against UP in the UAAP Season 88 women's basketball tournament, October 29, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena. UAAP Media
MANILA -- National University cruised to its seventh win in a row on Wednesday, overwhelming the University of the Philippines 82-61 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Bulldogs got a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double from veteran Ann Pingol, who also had five steals and four assists as the defending champions improved to 8-1 in the UAAP Season 88 women's basketball tournament.
For Pingol, it was a bounce-back effort after a quiet two-point outing in their previous win against Ateneo de Manila University.
She came out firing this time around, fueling NU's elimination round sweep of UP and helping them stay in second place in the league standings behind unbeaten University of Santo Tomas.
READ: Surada's all-around game fuels NU past Ateneo
"Most of the game, we played well and followed the game plan. I commend the players because they adjusted quickly to how UP was defending. Generally, we are happy with this win," said Lady Bulldogs head coach DA Olan.
UP managed to stay within striking distance at 34-28 after a five-point burst from Camille Nolasco midway through the second quarter, but NU responded with a decisive 14-5 run capped by three consecutive inside baskets from Xyza Pring and Tin Cayabyab to build a 48-33 halftime cushion.
The Lady Bulldogs kept their foot on the gas in the third period, as Pingol, Aloha Betanio, and Marylene Solis combined for a 13-3 blitz that sent the Fighting Maroons down by as much as 25 points, 61-36 — a deficit they would never recover from.
Cayabyab provided steady support with 19 points on an efficient 8-of-12 clip, along with five rebounds and one block, while Betanio chipped in 12 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
Solis also finished with 12 points, three rebounds, and one steal, while Angel Surada contributed an all-around effort of nine points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks.
NU will look to secure its eighth straight victory when it faces De La Salle University this Sunday, November 2, at the same Pasay venue.
Meanwhile, UP — which began the season with back-to-back wins over Adamson University and University of the East — has now dropped seven consecutive games, with an average losing margin of 20.9 points.
Shane Cunanan led the Fighting Maroons with 18 points, seven rebounds, and two steals, while Nolasco added 14 points, three rebounds, and one steal. Rhea Solitario chipped in nine points, three rebounds, and one steal, while Gilas Pilipinas Women standout Louna Ozar nearly tallied a double-double with eight points, nine assists, five rebounds, and three steals.
UP will try to finally end its slump when it faces UST next Wednesday, November 5, still at the MOA Arena.
The Scores:
NU (82) – Cayabyab 19, Pingol 16, Betanio 12, Solis 12, Surada 9, Pring 7, D. Medina 3, Canindo 2, Villanueva 2, Garcia 0, Ico 0, Alterado 0.
UP (61) – Cunanan 18, Nolasco 14, Solitario 9, Ozar 8, Tapawan 5, Vingno 3, Maw 2, Mejasco 2, Mendoza 0, Castro 0, Barba 0, Santos 0, Evangelista 0.
Quarterscores: 25-18, 48-33, 69-46, 82-61