SINIMULAN ng defending four-time UAAP Women’s Basketball Champions National University ang kampanya sa UAAP Season 81 sa matikas na 79-71 panalo kontra University of Santo Tomas kahapon sa MOA Arena.
Dahil sa panalo, ang kanilang ika-65 sunod sa kabuuan, malapit ng abutin ng Lady Bulldogs ang UAAP Seniors level-record sa team event para sa pinakamahabang winning streak (73) na naitala ng Adamson Lady Falcons sa Softball.
“Actually, siguro more on gigil. They weren’t able to knock down their shots. Daming open triples. Two against twelve triples is a huge margin,” pahayag ni NU coach Patrick Aquino. Tumapos si Ria Nabalan na may game-high 26 puntos upang pamunuan ang nasabing panalo ng NU ngunit sina Rhena Itesi at Kaye Pingol ang sumelyo nito.
“I know we were able to control the boards but we have to be disciplined more on how we execute, play defense, and play together,” ayon kay Aquino.
Nag-ambag naman si Jack Animam ng 16 puntos, 25 rebounds, at 4 blocks kasunod si Itesi na may 11 puntos at 17 boards para sa Lady Bulldogs.
Sa isa pang laro, tinalo ng Ateneo de Manila University ang University of the Philippines, 64-60.
-Marivic Awitan