In a dramatic Game 3 showdown, National University erased the memory of last year’s defeat, clinching the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Basketball championship with a 78-73 triumph over fierce rival University of Santo Tomas on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
It had been a hard-fought series with the Lady Bulldogs escaping the Growling Tigresses in Game 1, 72-71, before falling apart in the second game last Wednesday, 68-78, to set up the rubber match.
Despite failing to sweep the season after a loss in Game 2, the Lady Bulldogs reclaimed their spot at the top after losing the title to the Growling Tigresses last season.
“These players were on it since Day 1 ng training camp namin. We asked so much from them pero hindi mo matatawaran yung effort nila every day. I’m just very satisfied because today, this is the fruit of our labor. I’m really satisfied with how they conducted themselves today. Lahat lahat lahat binigay ang lahat para sa redemption year na ito,” said head coach Aris Dimaunahan, who earned his second title with the team.
The Lady Bulldogs broke a 38-all tie at halftime with a third-quarter storm, outscoring the Tigresses 27-12, thanks to standout performances from Rookie of the Year Cielo Pagdulagan (10 points) and Angel Surada (nine points).
This gave NU a commanding 65-50 lead heading into the final quarter.
Unlike last season, when they squandered a 14-point lead in Game 3, NU kept its composure in the clutch.
UST mounted a late rally, cutting the deficit to five points, 70-75, with 1:45 left, courtesy of nine straight points from CJ Maglupay, Karylle Sierba, and Tacky Tacatac.
But costly turnovers and missed opportunities sealed the victory for NU.
Camille Clarin’s two free throws with 21.8 seconds left extended the lead to 77-70, and despite a late three-pointer from Sierba, Clarin’s free-throw split sealed the title.
Pagdulagan was named Finals MVP, averaging 15.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.67 assists, and 1.67 steals throughout the championship series. She led the way in Game 3 with 21 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
“Super happy pero yung mga awards naman na nakuha ko bonus lang sa akin kasi ang goal naman talaga namin ay ‘yung championship,” said Pagdulagan, becoming the first rookie to win the Finals MVP award since her teammate Tin Cayabyab in Season 85.
“I am so proud to be the captain of this team. It’s the we over the me. These girls really showed me what it takes to fight until the end,” said Clarin, who played her final game for the Lady Bulldogs despite having one year of eligibility left.
This championship marks their eighth in nine seasons, making them the third-winningest team in event history, surpassing the UP Fighting Maroons.
It also added to NU’s impressive four-crown season, following titles in Men’s Badminton, Women’s Beach Volleyball, and Women’s Taekwondo.
Surada added 14 points, eight rebounds, four steals, and a block, while Clarin chipped in with 14 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals despite struggling with her shooting (4-of-14).
Ann Pingol also contributed 10 points and nine rebounds, providing a fitting sendoff to graduating players Clarin, Pringle Fabruada, and Maymay Canuto.
Sierba paced UST with 20 points, three rebounds, and three assists, while Tacatac finished with 14 points in her final game for the Tigresses.
Brigette Santos, the hero of Game 2, was limited to just eight points on 3-of-15 shooting. Kent Pastrana, a three-time Mythical Team member, scored only seven points, well below her season average of 16.5.
While the Tigresses’ dynasty was broken last season, they remain a formidable team, with Tacatac being the only key player leaving.
UST, which finished the elimination round as the second seed with a 12-2 record before knocking off Adamson in the stepladder semis, is expected to return most of their core players, with the addition of a foreign student-athlete next season.
