First-year player Cielo Pagdulagan makes her presence felt as NU finished off a perfect 7-0 start in round 1 of UAAP Season 87.
Cielo Pagdulagan picked the perfect time to have her coming out performance with the NU Lady Bulldogs, becoming the top-scorer in their first-round win over the Ateneo Blue Eagles for a 7-0 start to UAAP Season 87 on Saturday, October 5.
Despite her blue chip status, Pagdulagan was relatively quiet during her first few games with the perennial powerhouse. But when they faced a tough challenge against the Blue Eagles, she was finally able to step up to the plate.
Playing heavy minutes for head coach Aris Dimaunahan, the rookie finished with a team-high 12 points along with five rebounds, one assist, and three steals and helped fend off reigning MVP Kacey Dela Rosa and Ateneo for a 66-58 win.
After the game, Pagdulagan said that it was paramount that she finally got out of her slump.
“Sobra talaga akong nagsa-struggle lalo na nung first six games namin. Parang ngayong seventh game, sabi ko na kailangan ko makuha yung kumpyansa ko bago matapos yung first round na to,” she said.
It was particularly important as the road is expected to get tougher after NU was only really challenged twice in the first seven games – against defending champions UST, and now vs. fellow Final Four contender Ateneo.
“Lalo na pag second round na [kailangan ng kumpyansa] kasi alam kong sobrang mas gagaling pa yung kalaban namin eh. Sobrang hihigpit pa. Kaya talagang ina-adjust ko talaga na mag-focus ng maayos, kailangan talaga physically, mentally ready talaga,” she said.
The Lady Bulldogs are going to lean heavily on Pagdulagan, who is foreseen among the future stars of the NU program. She is a product of the NU-Nazareth School Lady Bullpups and also brings experience from the national team.
Even as NU is still flanked by the likes of veterans Camille Clarin, Angel Surada, Karl Pingol, and Tine Cayabyab, Pagdulagan will do good to contribute to the team now and get more experience under her belt as a first-year player.
Despite going undefeated in her first seven games in the UAAP, Pagdulagan underscored the importance of keeping themselves ready to maintain their game until the final stretch of the season.
“Siguro sa tingin ko, yung kailangan namin imaintain is yung effort, yung communication sa loob ng court, and yung energy namin kung paano kami naglaro this first round.” she said.
Pagdulagan and the rest of the Lady Bulldogs will get some much-needed rest with a one week break before the second round resumes next weekend. They head into the break as the number one seed with their immaculate 7-0 record.