National University‘s Angel Surada against University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball Finals. Photo from UAAP Media.
MANILA (UPDATED) — National University is a win away from clinching back-to-back UAAP women's basketball championship glory.
The Lady Bulldogs gave themselves a virtual twice-to-beat advantage after drawing first blood over University of Santo Tomas via an 84-79 win in the Season 88 best-of-three Finals on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Angel Surada led National U with 19 points, seven rebounds, five steals, and three assists, as they handed UST its first loss of Season 88 after a 14-game sweep of the eliminations.
"We feel relieved. During the eliminations we got swept by UST, so we're happy na finally we're able to get a win against them," said Lady Bulldogs coach DA Olan. "What a timing na here, in the Finals pa."
Marga Villanueva also contributed to this victory with 17 points and six rebounds, while Tine Cayabyan and Marylene Solis each scored 11 markers.
The cagers from Jhocson Street could close the series on Wednesday, December 10, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, and they are hoping to replicate the endgame poised they displayed against UST.
Down 67-70, in the payoff period, Villanueva drained back-to-back three-pointers to put NU in the driver's seat, 73-70, with under four minutes left.
The two squads then went on to exchange hits as the game neared its end, but Surada sank a deuce with only a minute and 15 left for an 81-78 lead, while Cayabyab and Betanio iced the match from the foul line to lock the victory.
On the other hand, Eka Soriano had a game-high 20 points on top of five rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Kent Pastrana backstopped with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, but the Growling Tigresses' once-perfect campaign is now in peril.
The Scores:
NU 84 – Surada 19, Villanueva 17, Cayabyab 11, Solis 11, Pring 9, D. Medina 6, Betanio 4, Pingol 3, Garcia 2, Alterado 2, Canindo 0.
UST 79 – Soriano 20, Pastrana 15, Sierba 14, Santos 11, Onianwa 10, Ambos 5, C. Danganan 4, Maglupay 0, Pineda 0, Pescador 0, Bron 0, Relliquette 0.
Quarterscores: 16-13, 42-35, 61-60, 84-79.