Mission accomplished for the redemption-seeking NU Lady Bulldogs as they regain the UAAP women’s basketball crown for Season 87.
The NU Lady Bulldogs avoided a repeat of last year’s Finals loss as they used a second-half flurry to dethrone the UST Growling Tigresses, 78-73, in the winner-take-all Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
NU led big and didn’t look back after a pivotal third quarter paced by Rookie of the Year Cielo Pagdulagan. The Lady Bulldogs outscored UST, 27-12, in the third quarter — including an unanswered 12-0 burst in the first four minutes of the period.
Pagdulagan, who also came up big for NU in the Game 2 loss, scored 10 of her 21 points in the crucial third quarter that flipped the script for the Lady Bulldogs.
In the first two quarters, it was a nip-and-tuck affair as both periods ended with the teams tied first at 17-all, and at 38-all. Heading into the final period, it was a 15-point lead for NU, 65-50.
Though UST sparked a run late in the fourth quarter where Tigresses got to within five, 75-70, after a Tacky Tacatac three with 1:45 remaining, the Season 86 champions just couldn't make up the difference in time.
Camille Clarin stole the ball from UST rookie Karylle Sierba with 27 ticks left as the Growling Tigresses squandered an outlet pass in transition to give NU possession which turned into two foul shots for the fourth year player.
Clarin made good on the shots and helped NU avert a late-game meltdown to reclaim the crown, winning an 8th championship in the last nine seasons.
Pagdulangan coupled her scoring output with nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals in her first year for the Lady Bulldogs. Veterans Angel Surada and Pingol added 14 and 10 markers, respectively. Surada coupled Pagdulagan's efforts in the third with nine of her markers scored in that period alone.
Skipper Clarin, who was the main defender on UST star Kent Pastrana, finished with 14 points, six boards, three assists, and two steals.
She clamped down on Pastrana, who was limited to seven points on 3-of-10 shooting in the decider.
Rookie Sierba did the heavy lifting for UST in the losing effort with 20 points, three rebounds, and three assists. Graduating forward Tacatac added 14 points in her final game for UST.