National University needed just one game to boot out Ateneo de Manila University while University of the Philippines stormed back from a 20-point deficit to beat University of Santo Tomas and force a decider in the Final Four of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 women’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The top-seeded Lady Bulldogs marched into their ninth straight finals appearance following a 58-43 win over the Blue Eagles while the Fighting Maroons banked on Louna Ozar in overtime to eke out a thrilling 88-80 win in the other Final Four pairing.
The sudden-death affair for the right to face the Lady Bulldogs in the best-of-three finals series is set on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“We’ll celebrate this today but we’ll go back to work tomorrow because it will not make sense if we win this today then not show up on Saturday,” said UP head coach Paul Ramos, who was part of the Fighting Maroons side that made it to the finals despite facing a twice-to-beat disadvantage in 2008.
After falling into a deep 20-point ravine, 25-45, in the second quarter, the Fighting Maroons caught fire and dropped 21 unanswered points to regain the lead, 46-45, in the final 7:10.
Favour Onoh’s split from the line with 38.6 seconds left in regulation sent the game to extra period while Kent Pastrana missed a three pointer from the top of the key that could have given UST the win as time expired.
UP flexed its muscles in over time with Ozar scoring six points while Justine Domingo and Kaye Pesquera had two markers apiece to erect a commanding 85-76 lead with 1:54 left.
“It’s all about the support of the team. Everybody cheered each other and this energy (boosts us),” said Filipino-French rookie Ozar, who scored 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the field to go with three rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block.
Meanwhile, NU coach Aris Dimaunahan credited their victory on their airtight defense on Ateneo superstars.
“I thought it’s always hard to play against Kacey dela Rosa and Jhazmin Joson because they’re considered as the 1-2 punch of Ateneo. That’s why our goal every game is to limit them,” said Dimaunahan, who helped the Lady Bulldogs post their 12th straight win since losing to UP on 8 October, 69-72.
With the Lady Bulldogs putting on the clamps, Dela Rosa was limited to just 10 points, including just two in the second half, but still grabbed 11 rebounds and two blocks.
In her final game for the Blue Eagles, Joson was held to just seven points on a woeful 2-of-12 shooting while also committing eight turnovers.
NU made some separation from a slim 31-27 lead at the break with a strong third quarter that saw Ann Pingol score eight points after being held scoreless in the first half, helping build a 48-37 advantage heading into the fourth period.
The Lady Bulldogs continued their onslaught to open the payoff period with Marylene Solis, Maymay Canuto, and Pingol contributing for a 55-39 cushion with 6:15 to go.
After Junize Calago’s layup at the 7:09 mark, the Lady Bulldogs tightened up, with the Blue Eagles’ next basket coming in at the 2:41 mark on a Dela Rosa deuce, 41-58.
Camille Clarin paced NU in the first half, making all of her 12 points to go with four assists and three rebounds.
Maymay Canuto and Jainaba Konateh both tallied eight points while grabbing nine and seven rebounds, respectively.
Calago led Ateneo with 12 points, eight rebounds, four steals, and three assists but went just 5-of-19 from the field, while Sarah Makanjuola also added eight points, 16 rebounds, and two blocks.
The Scores
First Game:
NU (58) — Clarin 12, Pingol 10, Canuto 8, Konateh 8, Berberabe 4, Solis 4, Cayabyab 3, Betanio 3, Talas 3, Surada 2, Fabruada 1, Alterado 0, Alcantara 0.
ATENEO (43) — Calago 12, Dela Rosa 10, Makanjuola 8, Joson 7, Villacruz 6, Gastador 0, Angala 0, Solis 0, Nieves 0, Mataga 0, Fetalvero 0, Eufemiano 0.
QUARTERS: 13-11, 31-27, 48-37, 58-43.
Second Game:
UP (88) — Ozar 25, Pesquera 19, Onoh 14, Sanchez 12, Domingo 9, Tapawan 6, Maw 2, Bariquit 1, Lozada 0, Vingno 0.
UST (80) — Pastrana 29, Tacatac 12, Santos 9, Villasin 9, Ferrer 7, Maglupay 4, Danganan 3, Dionisio 3, Soriano 2, Ambos 2, Bron 0, Ly 0, Serrano 0.
QUARTERS: 21-22, 38-45, 59-54, 72-72, 88-80.
