NU Lady Bulldogs’ Camille Clarin hits a 3-pointer against the UST Tigresses in UAAP Season 87.–UAAP PHOTO
All the pieces has been going well in National University’s (NU) redemption bid within the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament.
Perfectly well, in truth.
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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 sweep after they repeated over University of Santo Tomas, the very side that ended National U’s seven-year reign last season and consensus biggest threat.
But for captain Camille Clarin, there isn’t a reason for National U to ease off the pedal, not even after the Lady Bulldogs kept their stranglehold of top spot after a 76-70 escape of the Growling Tigresses at Mall of Asia Arena.
“It feels good to know that the work we’ve been putting in is producing results,” Clarin said after ending with 21 points, seven rebounds and 4 assists to steer National U to its eleventh straight win. “Nevertheless it just implies that we now have to maintain working harder.”
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Nearing familiar ending
The Bulldogs are only three more wins wanting repeating what they did season after season before the Growling Tigresses, who slid to 9-2, knocked them off their perch last yr, and that’s to go straight to the Finals with a sweep.
Clarin and the remaining of the team are aware of this.
“[But] all these wins don’t mean anything if we don’t get the subsequent one. So we’re just staying within the moment and continuing to work,” she added.
After a shaky start, NU got its footing back immediately to one way or the other take control despite the back-and-forth motion.
Santo Tomas held the lead for the last time at 59-57 after Karylle Sierba knocked down a triple, before National U uncorked a telling 13-0 run because the Lady Bulldogs never looked back.
“Just glad that we pulled through on this one because, again, we had a rough start,” coach Aris Dimaunahan said. “But I’m completely satisfied with how our players responded.
“Though they jumped on us early, we didn’t lose focus,” Dimaunahan added.
Clarin drained 4 of her five triples in the primary half, while rookie Cielo Pagdulagan shot 63.6 percent from the sphere on the method to 17 points for a solid backup effort to Clarin. Karl Pingol added 11 points.
“I take big responsibility in being the captain. I do know a variety of these girls look as much as me—not necessarily to attain, but just to steer the team, to maintain us levelheaded the entire game,” Clarin said.
“I do know that even when I’m struggling, they’ve my back. So I actually have to be sure I do this for them as well.”
“Each time we face them, we’re desperate to win this game. And I double my efforts once I face them,” Pagdulagan, who scored seven of her total within the fourth period, said.
