The NU Lady Bulldogs pulled away in the second half to beat the UE Lady Warriors, 76-63, in the UAAP Season 89 Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
NU Takes Over
The Lady Warriors were leading 23-16 in the second quarter before NU closed the half on a 5-0 run, capped by Zaydhen Rosano’s fastbreak layup, to lead 40-38 at the break. The Lady Bulldogs took over in the third, and Marga Villanueva’s three-pointer sent them into the final period up 57-47. Tin Cayabyab’s layup with six minutes left made it 71-49 and put the game away.
“Nung second half, we just probably addressed ‘yung lack of energy namin, especially on defense. Sabi ko nga sa kanila, ‘Parang wala tayong gana, parang hindi tayo galing sa talo,’” said NU head coach DA Olan. “Good thing, na-turnaround naman namin nung second half … I told them na ‘We cannot play like that.’ We have to play with our best effort every time from the start all the way to finish.”
Cayabyab, Villanueva Star for Lady Bulldogs
Cayabyab led the Lady Bulldogs with 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals. Villanueva also finished the game with 17 points, including 5 three-pointers, and Cielo Pagdulagan contributed 10 points and 4 rebounds.
For UE, Kezza Buscar had 18 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Rachel Lacayanga added 17 points and 7 rebounds, while Moana Vacalares chipped in a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Lady Bulld will next face the FEU Lady Tamaraws on Sunday, October 18, 10:00 a.m. at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City. Meanwhile, UE will next face the UP Fighting Maroons on Saturday, October 17, 10:00 a.m. at the Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
