This Christmas, newly-crowned UAAP champions NU Lady Bulldogs wish for more growth for the women’s basketball community after their Season 87 Finals run.
The NU Lady Bulldogs were celebrating something bigger than a win for themselves when they lifted the UAAP Season 87 trophy after trumping the UST Growling Tigresses in Game 3 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last December 15.
That is, more than relishing in their return to the mountain top in UAAP women’s hoops, it was about acknowledging a bigger win for women’s basketball.
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At the iconic Big Dome, a number of fans flocked to watch the winner-take-all Game 3 between UST and NU — which has always been a crowd-favorite matchup owing to their high intensity competitiveness.
Though still far from a packed arena, with fans only reaching up to the Lower Box, it was still bigger than previous years, which NU veteran Angel Surada enjoyed playing in front of. Being part of the growth of the sport, she was delighted to see her work bloom.
“Syempre, masaya kasi nga maraming sumusuporta sa women’s. Isa sa pinakamadaming crowd na nalaruan namin ni [Camille Clarin] was SEA Games sa Vietnam. Grabe talaga yung supporters nila kahit tambak na sila. Puno yung stadium. Kaya masaya lang na nare-recognize na ang women’s basketball [dito],” said Surada.
NU captain Clarin shared the same sentiment, and said that if the women’s basketball teams continued to push to be better, more and more people will realize the value of the product that the Filipina cagers can offer.
Having been part of the formative years, since her rookie year in the UAAP in 2019, Clarin reflected on what it means for the next generation.
“In 2019, you can probably count how many people were in the stands. This time, you really felt the impact of the crowd and it just goes to show that people gravitate towards the things you're passionate about. I think we've shown time and time again that with or without support, we're gonna fight, we're gonna give them a good show,” said Clarin.
“I think people are finally starting to recognize that women's basketball is just as exciting, just as competitive. Yeah, women's basketball is on the rise and I'm glad that we're right there with it, we're leading charge, and the next generation is really gonna feel the impact of it, and I'm so excited for them,” she added.
Still, Clarin believes that women have more to offer to everyone that wants to give them a chance.
After seeing the support when the title is at stake, she wants to feel the same energy no matter what time of the season. And especially this Christmas, Clarin hopes for more moments like that Finals series in 2025.
“My Christmas wish for women's basketball next year is for everyone to support at all levels, whether it's the young girls who are still in high school to the pro league. We don't just need crowds at championship games. We need crowds at every game,” said Clarin.
“I think these women, me included, have put in so much work just to get our name out there, just to be recognized. And now, I hope people finally pay attention,” she added.