A team-first mindset pushes NU back to the top of UAAP women’s basketball after a highly-competitive Finals series against UST in Season 87.
The NU Lady Bulldogs leaned on teamwork to complete their redemption season in UAAP Season 87, successfully dethroning tormentors UST Growling Tigresses in a competitive Game 3, 78-73, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
After suffering the heartbreak of their Game 3 collapse against the same UST team last season, the Lady Bulldogs thrived on their united push to win their eighth championship in the past nine UAAP seasons.
With the team still intact from last season’s Finals loss, all were determined to get back on their feet, one way or another.
“I am so proud to be the captain of this winning team. It just goes to show that when everyone sets aside their own agenda and puts their own ego aside, puts the we over the me, great things are gonna happen,” said NU skipper Camille Clarin.
“This team has been through the gutter. The fact that everybody rose up to the challenge is just amazing. Nobody can take that away from us.”
What makes this year different from NU’s other championships in recent seasons is this one came with a lot more adversity than others. Despite winning 15 straight games heading into Game 2, NU was challenged mightily by UST — both in the Lady Bulldogs' eventual Game 2 loss and in the championship decider.
After falling short of the 16-0 sweep the last time out, NU also had to fend off a furious run by the Growling Tigresses late in Game 3, where the Season 86 champions got within five points, 75-70, with 1:45 ticks left despite trailing by as many as 15.
But with the lessons from last season, the Lady Bulldogs were able to hold on for the victory.
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“This season, regardless of what the outcome was, I would never go back again and change anything. These girls really showed me what it takes to fight until the end. I know I made them better and I know they made me better. I'm just so thankful that the ball fell in our court and we're champions again,” said Clarin.
Clarin’s fellow graduating senior Angel Surada, who scored nine points in the pivotal third quarter that turned the game around, beamed with pride for their team’s determination in bringing the crown back to Jhocson.
“Super saya kasi walang bumitaw samin simula tip off hanggang sa natapos yung fourth quarter. Walang bumitaw samin. Kasi parang naging deja vu eh. Parang hahabol sila. So alam na namin, fourth quarter na naman, alam namin na mangyayari yun,” said Surada.
“Pero ang pinagkaiba namin last year, this year, walang bumitaw samin. Super happy ako,” she said.
Clarin and Surada were two of four NU seniors who are set to leave the team, including Pring Fabruada and Gypsy Canuto.
But the Lady Bulldogs will be paced by Finals MVP Cielo Pagdulagan beginning next year. Pagdulagan finished with 21 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals in the championship decider.
Clarin and Surada finished with 14 points each.