Even with a 4-0 record, the redemption-seeking NU Lady Bulldogs keep themselves in check with the rest of the field catching up.
NU Lady Bulldogs head coach Aris Dimaunahan remained tempered even as his team pulled off a resounding grudge match win over the UST Growling Tigresses in a Finals rematch in UAAP Season 87 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, September 21.
Fueled by losing their 8-peat bid last year against the España-based squad, Dimaunahan’s Lady Bulldogs played inspired basketball where they dictated the pace and denied a spirited comeback attempt by the champs late.
But even with the momentum-boosting win over UST – which left NU as the only undefeated team left in the tournament – Dimaunahan said that he and his players need to be careful of letting themselves go during the endgame.
[Related: UAAP: NU’s Clarin serves ice cold revenge vs UST in heated women's finals rematch]
“[We’re] learning again, even though we got the win, we’re happy with the win. But, there is a lot of work to be done moving forward sa season na to. We have to get better at protecting leads,” said Dimaunahan.
“We know for a fact that this happened last year already, it happened again today. So, we have to check those scenarios wherein the other team is making a run late in the fourth quarter. I’m just glad that we made the crucial plays down the stretch for us to get a bucket.”
The Lady Bulldogs were ahead by as many as 24 points, 61-37, but the Growling Tigresses made a furious run in the fourth quarter to make things a bit interesting.
UST got to within 10 points, 71-61, with still three minutes left.
It was reminiscent of what happened in Game 3 of the Season 86 Finals, where the Growling Tigresses successfully came back from a deficit to dethrone the Lady Bulldogs and deny them their 8th straight championship.
Knowing that the competition will only continue to heat up, Dimaunahan reminded his players that there is still more room for improvement.
“I thought this game, we stayed locked in with what we were trying to do this game. Though UST outscored us in the fourth, 27-13, nobody folded, and they stuck together,” he said.
“They found a way to make some crucial plays and credit also to UST for that run again. They are a resilient basketball team. So, the next time we face them, we have to check that tendency of them for us to be able to take away the game when it matters the most.” He continued.
Of course, with UST being one of their most intense rivals in recent memory, Dimaunahan was particularly interested in weathering late game runs – which have been common from the Growling Tigresses in their meetings.
Especially when they meet in the second round, Dimaunahan wants his players to be ready for anything.
“Actually, I’m not satisfied [when it comes to defense] but I’m very very happy. We’re far from being satisfied because every time you’ll face [UST], ganyan sila. They won’t go away, they won’t simply go away easily,” he said.
“They’ll find a way to come back that’s part of their character and we have to be able to check that sa mga next games namin na makakatapat sila. This game is another lesson for us na I am happy na naitawid namin yung panalo.”
Before they meet the Growling Tigresses again, there are other challenges coming the Lady Bulldogs’ way.
Their next assignment? The surprising team of Ryan Monteclaro and the Adamson Lady Falcons.
In an optimistic start to the season, the Lady Falcons are at 3-1 and will hope to stun the perennial powerhouse. But now riding a 4-game winning streak, Dimaunahan’s NU will surely bring their best foot forward.
NU-Adamson is penciled in on Wednesday, September 25, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.