Game today:
(Mall of Asia Arena)
2 p.m. — La Salle vs NU
Just one last push and National University will continue its dynastic rule in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s basketball.
Already on the cusp of annexing their seventh straight title, the Lady Bulldogs go for the killer blow in Game 2 of the best-of-three championship series against the De La Salle University today at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Tip-off is set at 2 p.m.
NU took the series opener in dominating fashion, 93-61, last Wednesday as it exacted revenge over its second-round tormentor that ended its league-record 108-game winning streak.
The Lady Bulldogs were lights out from the three-point area in Game 1, torching the Lady Archers with 13 treys.
NU opened the floodgates in the second and third quarters before putting the game away with a 30-point separation with just under eight minutes left in the lopsided opener of their first finals meeting since 2016.
Lady Bulldogs head coach Aris Dimaunahan, however, reminds his team that the series is far from over.
“Then again, this is something that we could be happy about, but we cannot celebrate still because the job is not yet done. We still have one game to go,” the first-year mentor said.
Expected to showcase the same aggressiveness and intensity once again are Mikka Cacho, Rhocel Bartolo and Angel Surada.
The trio finished with double digits the last time out with NU flexing its depth to overwhelm the hapless La Salle side.
Taking a cue from her mentor, Cacho understands very well that the Lady Bulldogs cannot celebrate until they get their second win.
“Coach Aris has a rule that after a game, after a win, we have 24 hours to celebrate and to be happy about that. And then after that, we got to stay focused and start training. It’s back to zero,” she said.
“Whatever happens we will give our all when we step inside the court. We have to repay the trust given to us by Coach Aris.”
But the Lady Archers are sure to also bring everything they have to extend the series. Game 3, if necessary, is on Wednesday.
