NU Lady Bulldogs’ Camille Clarin hits a 3-pointer against the UST Tigresses in UAAP Season 87.–UAAP PHOTO
Everything has been going well in National University’s (NU) redemption bid in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament.
Perfectly well, in fact.
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And heading into the homestretch of the elimination round, it looks like nothing can stop the Lady Bulldogs from pulling off a sweep after they repeated over University of Santo Tomas, the very side that ended National U’s seven-year reign last season and consensus biggest threat.
But for captain Camille Clarin, there is no reason for National U to ease off the pedal, not even after the Lady Bulldogs kept their stranglehold of top spot after a 76-70 escape of the Growling Tigresses at Mall of Asia Arena.
“It feels good to know that the work we’ve been putting in is producing results,” Clarin said after finishing with 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists to lead National U to its 11th straight win. “But it just means that we have to keep working harder.”
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Nearing familiar ending
The Bulldogs are just three more wins short of repeating what they did season after season before the Growling Tigresses, who slid to 9-2, knocked them off their perch last year, and that is to head straight to the Finals with a sweep.
Clarin and the rest of the team are aware of this.
“[But] all these wins don’t mean anything if we don’t get the next one. So we’re just staying in the moment and continuing to work,” she added.
After a shaky start, NU got its footing back immediately to somehow take control despite the back-and-forth action.
Santo Tomas held the lead for the last time at 59-57 after Karylle Sierba knocked down a triple, before National U uncorked a telling 13-0 run as the Lady Bulldogs never looked back.
“Just glad that we pulled through on this one because, again, we had a rough start,” coach Aris Dimaunahan said. “But I’m happy with how our players responded.
“Even though they jumped on us early, we didn’t lose focus,” Dimaunahan added.
Clarin drained four of her five triples in the first half, while rookie Cielo Pagdulagan shot 63.6 percent from the field on the way to 17 points for a solid backup effort to Clarin. Karl Pingol added 11 points.
“I take big responsibility in being the captain. I know a lot of these girls look up to me—not necessarily to score, but just to lead the team, to keep us levelheaded the whole game,” Clarin said.
“I know that even if I’m struggling, they have my back. So I have to make sure I do that for them as well.”
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“Every time we face them, we’re eager to win this game. And I double my efforts when I face them,” Pagdulagan, who scored seven of her total in the fourth period, said.