Perennial powerhouse NU Lady Bulldogs are not getting ahead of themselves after going 12-0 so far in the elimination round of UAAP Season 87.
After looking vulnerable in the past two seasons, the NU Lady Bulldogs are back to their indestructible form as they moved one win closer to another elimination round sweep, this time in UAAP Season 87.
Handily beating the Adamson Lady Falcons, 72-53, in their most recent game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Lady Bulldogs improved to 12-0. After experiencing the sting of last year’s Finals loss against UST, it seemed like it was inevitable.
But for NU veteran Karl Ann Pingol, they aren’t treading the rest of the season lightly even as they already completed a season sweep over last year’s tormentors the Golden Tigresses.
Careful not to look too far ahead, Pingol said that they’re just taking things one day at a time.
“Hindi muna namin iniisip yung sa Finals. Di muna kami nagco-conclude na ganun [yung mangyayari]. Pero yung iniisip lang namin ngayon is kung sino yung next na kalaban namin,” she told One Sports.
“Yun nalang yung tatrabahuhin namin and dun sa last year na nangyari, oo alam naman namin na gustong gusto namin bumawi pero hindi naman pwede na makakabawi kami agad. Pagta-trabahuhan ulit namin yun para makarating kami sa kung ano man yung [di namin nagawa] last year, and this time, babawiin na lang namin.”
After ruling the UAAP women’s basketball tournament for seven straight seasons, NU’s reign was ended after a three-game series against their España rivals last year.
But among the pillars of women’s hoops in the country, the NU program isn’t one to be bowed easily. Now that they’re back in top form, especially with the addition of rookies like Cielo Pagdulangan and Marga Villanueva, the Lady Bulldogs are ready to pounce anew.
What makes it even scarier is that according to Pingol, they’re more motivated than they’ve ever been.
“Siguro, yung sa mindset namin ngayon is mas better kesa last year kasi parang nakikita ko ngayon sa kanila na gusto nilang bumawi na ayaw nilang mangyari yung nangyari last year,” she said.
“And sa rookies naman, ginagawa naman nila yung trabaho nila and nandito naman kaming mga seniors na maboost yung confidence nila para makalaro sila ng maayos,” she continued.
Still, there remains games to play for the Lady Bulldogs before they can call themselves champions again.
And up next are the DLSU Lady Archers who will attempt to spoil the party for the Lady Bulldogs. They face the also-ran Taft cagebelles on Wednesday, November 13, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.