Defending champion National University erased the bitter memory of its first loss in nine years by venting its ire on hapless Adamson University, 101-55, to end its elimination round campaign in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women's basketball tournament on Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Lady Bulldogs wasted no time in taking control of the match to cruise to their 13th win in 14 outings to enter the Final Four as top seeds.
NU will face Ateneo de Manila University in the Final Four armed with a twice-to-beat advantage.
"We talked about finishing quarters, finishing halves, finishing games strongly, which obviously we failed in our last game," NU coach Aris Dimaunahan said.
The Lady Bulldogs saw their 108-game winning streak that started in 2014 snapped by De La Salle University in overtime last Wednesday.
"Today the challenge was really how well we could finish the elimination round on a high note, if we could finish this convincingly. I thought we did a better job today than the last time we played," the mentor said.
Dimaunahan's squad ran over the Lady Falcons right from the opening tip, building an insurmountable 79-31 separation after Karl Pingol swished in a pair of charities with 2:44 left in the third quarter.
Meanwhile, La Salle clinched the second and last Final Four twice-to-beat advantage after dominating University of the East, 66-41, for a 12-2 win-loss slate at second spot.
The scores:
First game
NU (101) – Pingol 12, Cayabyab 11, Fabruada 10, Clarin 10, Edimo Tiky 9, Bartolo 9, Betanio 7, Solis 6, Villareal 6, Cacho 6, Barroquillo 6, Canuto 3, Dimaunahan 3, Surada 2, Ico 1.
Adamson (55) – Ornopia 14, Adeshina 8, Dumelod 8, Padilla 5, Flor 4, Alaba 3, Agojo 3, Meniano 2, Dampios 2, Etang 2, Carcallas 2, Tano 2, Alaba 0, De La Cruz 0, Catulong 2.
Quarters: 29-13, 52-26, 83-41, 101-55.
Second game
UST (77) – Dionisio 15, Soriano 14, Tacatac 10, Bron 10, Villasin 7, Pangilinan 7, Santos 6, Ambos 4, Serrano 2, Villapando 2, Araza 0.
FEU (65) – Taguiam 27, Pacia 9, Lopez 7, Jumuad 6, Go 6, Manguiat 5, Paras 2, Aquino 2, Delos Santos 1, Obien 0, Cunawan 0, Calinawan 0.
Quarters: 20-19, 31-38, 56-52, 77-65.
Third game
La Salle (66) – Sario 18, Binaohan 14, Torres 8, Jimenez 6, Arciga 4, De La Paz 4, Niantcho Tchuido 4, Dalisay 4, Camba 2, Ahmed 2, San Juan 0, Espinas 0, Bacierto 0, Castillo 0.
UE (41) – Terrinal 15, Paule 10, Kone 8, Delig 6, Caraig 2, Sajol 0, Lorena 0, Silva 0, Dela Rosa 0, Gervacio 0, Nama 0, De Leon 0.
Quarters: 13-5, 32-15, 48-35, 66-41.
