NU Lady Bulldogs’ Camille Clarín hits a 3-pointer against UST Tigresses in UAAP Season 87. -UAAP Photo
Everything is going well for National University (NU) in its redemption bid in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament.
Actually, absolutely fine.
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And heading into the homestretch of the elimination round, it looks like nothing can stop the Lady Bulldogs from pulling off a repeat sweep over the University of Santo Tomas, the same side that ended National U’s seven-year reign last season. And consensus was the biggest threat. ,
But for captain Camille Clarin, there’s no reason for National U to put down the pedals, not even after the Lady Bulldogs survived the Growling Tigresses 76-70 at the Mall of Asia Arena Maintained its hold on the top position.
“It feels good to know that the work we’ve been doing is paying off,” Clarin said after leading National U to its 11th consecutive win with 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists. “But that just means we have to keep working hard.”
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close to the familiar end
The Bulldogs are just three more wins short of repeating what they’ve done season after season before the Growling Tigresses, who went 9-2 last year, knock them off their feet, and they head straight to the finals with a sweep. Have to reach.
Clarin and the rest of the team are aware of this.
,[But] All these victories mean nothing if we don’t get the next victory. So we’re just staying in the moment and continuing to work,” he added.
After a poor start, NU quickly bounced back and somehow regained control despite some back-and-forth action.
Santo Tomas led 59–57 for the final time when Karylle Sierba hit a triple, before National U went on a spectacular 13–0 run as the Lady Bulldogs never looked back.
“I’m glad we were able to pull it off because once again we had a bad start,” coach Aris DiMounahan said. “But I’m happy with how our players responded.
“Even though they quickly got the better of us, we didn’t lose our focus,” Dimounahan said.
Clarin drained four of its five triples in the first half, while rookie Cielo Pagdulagan shot 63.6 percent from the field on his way to 17 points to cap a solid backup effort for Clarin. Carl Pingol added 11 points.
He said, “Being the captain, I take a lot of responsibility. I know a lot of these girls look up to me – not necessarily to score, but just to lead the team, to keep us on the ball throughout the game,” Clarin said.
“I know that even though I’m struggling, they support me. So I have to make sure I do the same for them.”
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“Every time we face them, we are eager to win this game. And when I face them, I double my efforts,” said Pagdulagan, who scored seven of her total points in the fourth period.
