JACK Daniel Animam came up with double-double outputs for reigning two-time champion National University which went on to clobber De La Salle, 93-77, last Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The victory moved the NU Lady Bulldogs within two wins of clinching an outright Finals berth in the UAAP Season 79 women’s basketball tournament.
Animam had 25 points, 22 rebounds and four blocks for the Lady Bulldogs, who stayed unbeaten after 12 games.
Earlier, University of Santo Tomas boosted its Final Four bid after easing out last season’s runner-up Ateneo, 59-42.
NU, unbeaten after 44 games spanning three years, has assured itself of a twice-to-beat bonus in the Final Four.
The Lady Bulldogs banked on a 28-point second period explosion to put the game beyond recall.
Gemma Miranda (23 points, 13 rebounds) and Afril Bernardino (21 points, 12 boards) also produced double-double numbers for NU.
De La Salle absorbed its second straight loss.
The Lady Archers fell to a tie with idle University of the East in second place at 8-3. This tightened the race for the other twice-to-beat slot.