National University Claims Final Four Berth with Impressive 97-67 Victory Over De La Salle

In a commanding performance on Sunday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, National University (NU) secured its place in the UAAP Season 88 Final Four by trouncing De La Salle University (DLSU) with a score of 97-67. This triumph marked a significant milestone for Ann Pingol, who achieved her first career triple-double, becoming the first player in the women’s division to do so this season.

Key Performers

Pingol’s extraordinary stats included 12 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, and 6 steals. Highlighting the collective effort of the Lady Bulldogs, this victory also extends their remarkable streak to 11 consecutive Final Four appearances, a feat initiated back in Season 76 under the guidance of former head coach Pat Aquino.

Player Insights

Reflecting on her achievement, Pingol stated, “Kanina, hindi ko rin kasi alam na ‘yon yung stats ko. Parang sinasabihan din ako ng coaches and yung mga kasama ko naman sa court, parang they fed me na kailangan ko raw ng ganito tapos kami raw bahala sayo.” She emphasized the vital role her teammates played, acknowledging that her success depended significantly on their support.

Game Highlights

The Lady Bulldogs dominated the match, bolstered by a robust 50-36 lead at halftime. They opened the third quarter with a decisive 16-4 run, rapidly increasing their lead to 66-40 with contributions from players like Tin Cayabyab and Daniella Alterado.

Statistics Breakdown

• NU’s Cayabyab led with 20 points, complemented by 5 rebounds and 3 steals.
• Aloha Betanio tallied 18 points, showcasing accuracy with a 7-of-12 shooting performance.
• Angel Surada and Dindy Medina each added to the score, contributing 11 points apiece.

Team Dynamics

Head coach DA Olan praised the team’s cohesion, stating, “We’re satisfied with this win. Happy kami sa laro na ito kasi maganda laro namin and we followed the game plan.” He highlighted the impressive 37 assists recorded, underscoring the effort to prioritize teamwork and ball sharing.

Looking Ahead

With this victory, NU increased its winning streak to eight games, holding a solid second place in the standings with a record of 9-1. Their next challenge will be against the Adamson University Lady Falcons on Saturday, November 8, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

Impact on DLSU

For De La Salle, the defeat proved detrimental as they now share a tie for fifth place with Adamson, both teams sitting at 3-6. Kyla Go led the Lady Archers with 21 points, despite her struggles with turnovers. DLSU looks to rebound in their next matchup against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles on Sunday, November 9.

Final Score Summary

The complete scoring from the game is as follows:

• NU: Cayabyab 20, Betanio 18, Pingol 12, Surada 11, D. Medina 11, Villanueva 10, Solis 7, Garcia 6, Alterado 2.
• DLSU: Go 21, Sunga 10, Anastacio 10, Mendoza 6, A. Dizon 6, S. Dizon 5, Villapando 3, Lubrico 2.

The quarter scores were as follows: 17-15, 50-36, 76-55, 97-67.