DEFENDING champion National University led from wire-to-wire to beat Adamson University, 82-38, and stay perfect while University of the East turned back Ateneo, 62-51, to gain a piece of second place yesterday in the UAAP Season 80 women’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Congo’s Rhena Itesi had 18 points and 22 rebounds, while Ria Nabalan added 14 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and three steals as the Lady Bulldogs were never threatened, leading by as much as 53 points at one point.
NU has now stretched its remarkable winning run to 52 games.
Ruthlaine Tacula came through with 20 points, five assists and four steals, while Eunique Chan added 17 points and 10 boards for the Lady Warriors to book their third straight win after a season-opening overtime loss to the Lady Bulldogs.
UE joined idle UST in second spot.
The Lady Eagles fell in tie with Far Eastern University at 2-2 in fourth place, while the Lady Falcons joined De La Salle in sixth spot at 1-3.
Meanwhile, men’s champion National University topped University of Santo Tomas, 4-1, while Ateneo bested De La Salle, 4-1 to stay unbeaten in the badminton tournament yesterday.
The Bulldogs and the Blue Eagles share the lead with identical 2-0 cards.
University of the East overcame Adamson University, 3-2, in the day’s other tie at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall to enter the win column.
Keeyan Gabuelo, Christian Cuyno and Mike Minuluan shone in singles action, while the pair of Alvin Morada and Cuyno provided NU’s win in doubles play.
Ateneo banked on the trio of last season’s Rookie of the Year Keoni Asuncion, Carlo Remo and Clarence Filart to sustain its hot start.
The Green Archers dropped to 2-1 in third place while the Growling Tigers fell in a tie with the Red Warriors in fifth spot with a 1-2 slate.
The Falcons remain winless in three starts.
Women’s action on Saturday saw University of the Philippines opening its bid for a fourth straight crown with a 3-2 win over De La Salle.
NU seized the top spot with a 5-0 conquest of UE for a 2-0 card, while Adamson University posted a 4-1 victory over UST.
The Lady Falcons moved in a tie with the Lady Archers at 1-1, while the Tigresses and the Lady Warriors went down at 0-2.