NU dethrones UST to reclaim UAAP women's basketball crown

The Lady Bulldogs are once again queens of UAAP basketball.

National University escaped University of Santo Tomas, 78-73, in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball finals to reclaim the crown.

NU almost had it in the bag with less than three minutes remaining as they led, 75-61, but the Growling Tigresses mounted a late rally as they attempted to steal the game.

After CJ Maglupay's split, Tacky Tacatac drilled a triple, which was followed by Karylle Sierba's jumper to cut the deficit to within eight with 2:14 remaining in the fourth period. Tacatac then drilled another triple to put the Growling Tigresses within five, 75-70, with less than two minutes.

Sierba drilled another triple late in the game before a split from Clarin sealed the victory.

"These players were on it since Day 1 ng training camp namin. We asked so much from them pero hindi mo matatawaran 'yung effort nila every day. I’m just very satisfied because today, this is the fruit of our labor,” said head coach Aris Dimaunahan.

Rookie Cielo Pagdulagan, who was named as Finals MVP, had 21 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals, while Angel Surada and Camille Clarin had 14 points apiece.

Sierba led the España-based squad with 20 points, while Tacatac had 14 points. 

NU completed an elimination round sweep to advance to the finals, then won Game 1, 78-72, before UST forced a do-or-die after taking Game 2, 78-68. 

This is NU's eighth title overall as it dethroned last season's champion Growling Tigresses.

Scores:

NU 78 – Pagdulagan 21, Surada 14, Clarin 14, Pingol 10, Cayabyab 5, Fabruada 4, Konateh 4, Betanio 3, Canuto 3, Bartolo 0, Villanueva 0.

UST 73 – Sierba 20, Tacatac 14, Santos 8, Soriano 8, Pastrana 7, Maglupay 7, Bron 5, Danganan 4, Ambos 0, Serrano 0.

Quarters: 17-17, 38-38, 65-50, 78-73

—JKC, GMA Integrated News