Despite strong start, UP falls short of an upset against NU, slimming their Final Four hopes

Despite a strong start against the unbeaten NU Lady Bulldogs, University of the Philippines came short of an upset, slimming their chances of a Final Four appearance, in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament, Sunday, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

The Fighting Maroons started the game strong, outscoring their opponents in the first quarter, 17-8, and leading by as much as 11 at 17-6, but the NU Bulldogs’ late game rally was enough to take the game for themselves, maintaining their top spot in the standings with an unbeaten record at 10-0.

Heading into the fourth period, UP had the advantage, 48-44, but Camille Clarin waxed hot along with Maymay Canuto, Tin Cayabyab, Angelica Surada, and Jainaba Konateh contributing to a furious 16-2 run for NU to take a 10-point lead, 60-50 with 5:41 left in the game.

Kaye Pesquera retaliated, with a run of her own, scoring nine unanswered points to cut the deficit to one, 60-59, at the 3:10 mark.

Both sides couldn’t hit their shots until it reached the final minute, where Clarin sank her fourth triple to seal the game for the Lady Bulldogs, giving them a four-point cushion with 45 seconds on the clock.

The Lady Bulldogs converted 20 points from 46 rebounds, but the Maroons only made eight markers from their 43 boards, just three less.

UP also committed more turnovers, 26-18, allowing the Bulldogs their 22 points off turnovers versus the former’s 10.

Clarin led the NU Lady Bulldogs to their 10th straight win with 16 points, 13 of which came from the fourth quarter alone, coupled with her four rebounds, five assists, and one steal.

Karl Ann Pingol was right behind her, with 14 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block, while Cielo Pagdulagan contributed 11 points, six rebounds, two assists, and one steal, while Surada was their top rebounder with a near double-double, with 10 points, nine rebounds, two steals, and a block.

On UP’s side, Kaye Pesquera was the lone Maroon to score double digits with 16 points, six rebounds, two assists, and a steal, while Louna Ozar followed with nine points, nine rebounds, three assists and a steal.

Christie Bariquit and Achrissa Maw contributed six points apiece, plus three rebounds, and one assist, and seven rebounds, and two steals respectively.

The NU Bulldogs (10-0) look to continue their streak this Wednesday, when they go against their finals opponents of last season, the UST Growling Tigresses (9-1) at 12NN, November 6, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Meanwhile, the UP Fighting Maroons (3-8) need to win all their remaining games (while hoping the Ateneo Blue Eagles (6-5) lose all of theirs) for at least a chance of a playoff for the fourth seed. They look to bounce back this Sunday against the DLSU Lady Archers (2-8), November 10, 12NN, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

The Scores:

NU 64 – Clarin 16, Pingol 14, Pagdulagan 11, Surada 10, Cayabyab 7, Konateh 4, Canuto 1, Betanio 1, Fabruada 0, Solis 0, Villanueva 0.

UP 59 – Pesquera 16, Ozar 9, Bariquit 6, Maw 6, Tapawan 4, Sauz 4, Nolasco 4, Vingno 3, Jimenez 3, Solitario 2, Lozada 2, Quinquinio 0, Barba 0.

Quarterscores: 8-17, 25-29, 44-48, 64-59.