UAAP: NU women fend off FEU, tighten hold on second spot

MANILA — National University tightened its grip on second place in the league standings after escaping with a 66-60 win over Far Eastern University in the UAAP Season 89 women’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.

The Lady Bulldogs led wire-to-wire but had to survive a gritty FEU squad on its way to a second straight win.

The result put NU at 4-1, behind unbeaten University of Santo Tomas (5-0) in the league standings.

“We commend FEU for really giving us a hard time in this game, but we’re also proud of how we finished the game. At least we were able to pull this off. We struggled the whole game, but we found a way to win,” said NU head coach DA Olan.

The Lady Bulldogs gained an early upper hand, closing out the second quarter with a 15-5 run to take a 32-22 lead into halftime.

NU kept FEU at bay, with Kristine Cayabyab leading the way as the Lady Bulldogs maintained a double-digit advantage heading into the final frame, leaving the Lady Tamaraws with little room to build momentum.

Victoria Pasilang, however, ensured that FEU would not go down without a fight in the fourth quarter, leading the Lady Tamaraws’ comeback bid and cutting the deficit to 58-55 with a three-pointer with 2:20 remaining.

After several back-and-forth sequences in the final two minutes, Marga Villanueva created some separation by knocking down a crucial triple to give NU a seven-point cushion with 36 seconds left.

Amyah Espanol answered with a three-pointer of her own, but Ann Pingol ultimately sealed the win from the free-throw line as the Lady Bulldogs held on for the victory.

“Sa latter part, nag-stay composed kami. Nandoon kami para sa isa’t isa kaya nakuha namin ‘yung win,” said Pingol, the reigning MVP who led NU with 14 points, six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.

Cayabyab added 10 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.

The Lady Bulldogs will look to extend their winning streak when they face the University of the Philippines on Wednesday, October 21, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

FEU, meanwhile, absorbed its third consecutive loss after opening the season with back-to-back wins, dropping to 2-3 for sixth place in the standings.

Espanol paced the Lady Tamaraws with 18 points and six rebounds, while Pasilang contributed 16 points and seven rebounds.

The Lady Tamaraws will look to bounce back against Adamson University, also on Wednesday.

NU 66 – Pingol 14, Cayabyab 10, Pagdulagan 9, Villanueva 9, Rosano 8, Garcia 8, Solis 5, Alterado 2, Alba 1, Betanio 0, Lapasaran 0.

FEU 60 – Espanol 18, Pasilang 16, Salvani 9, Patio 7, Lopez 6, Dela Torre 4, Maguiat 0, Kant 0, Agcambot 0, Gavaran 0.

Quarterscores: 15-13, 32-22, 52-41, 66-60.