Camille Clarin of the NU Lady Bulldogs hits a 3-pointer against the UST Tigresses in UAAP Season 87. – UAAP PHOTO
Everything went well in National University’s (NU) bid for the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Actually completely fine.
Article continues after this ad
And as we head into the home stretch of the elimination round, it looks like nothing can stop the Lady Bulldogs from picking up a win after edging out the University of Santo Tomas, the very team that ended the National’s seven-year reign last season U ended and was the biggest threat.
But for captain Camille Clarin, there’s no reason for National U to let off the pedal, even after the Lady Bulldogs maintained a stranglehold on their top spot following a 76-70 win over the Growling Tigresses at Mall of Asia Arena.
“It’s a good feeling to know that the work we’ve been putting in is producing results,” Clarin said after leading National U to its 11th straight win with 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists. “But it just means we have to keep working harder.”
Article continues after this ad
The familiar end is imminent
The Bulldogs are just three wins away from repeating what they did season after season before the Growling Tigresses, who slipped to 9-2, knocked them off their perch last year, and that is with one win to move straight into the final.
Clarin and the rest of the team are aware of this.
“(But) all these wins mean nothing if we don’t get the next one. So we just stay in the moment and keep working,” she added.
After a rocky start, NU got right back on its feet and somehow managed to take control despite the back and forth.
Santo Tomas held the lead for the final time at 59-57 after Karylle Sierba hit a three-pointer before National U went on a convincing 13-0 run as the Lady Bulldogs never looked back.
“I’m just glad we did it because we had another tough start,” said coach Aris Dimaunahan. “But I am happy with the reaction of our players.
“Even though they attacked us early, we didn’t lose focus,” Dimaunahan added.
Clarin sank four of its five triples in the first half, while rookie Cielo Pagdulagan shot 63.6 percent from the field en route to 17 points, providing solid support for Clarin. Karl Pingol added 11 points.
“As captain, I take on a great responsibility. I know a lot of these girls look up to me – not necessarily to score, but just to lead the team and keep us level-headed throughout the game,” Clarin said.
“I know that they have my back even when I have problems. So I have to make sure I do the same for them.”
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription was successful.
“Every time we play against them we are committed to winning that game. And I double my efforts when I face them,” said Pagdulagan, who scored seven of her total goals in the fourth period.