The NU Lady Bulldogs lived for another day as they prevented the DLSU Lady Archers from winning their first UAAP championship since 2002. Coming off a humiliating defeat in the first game of the best-of-three series, the Lady Bulldogs used a 14-2 run at the end of the third quarter to break away and take a 67-52 victory in Game 2.
Andrea Tongco led NU’s charge with 23 points, three assists and three triples while Afril Bernardino added 14 points and 11 rebounds. The defense of the Lady Bulldogs brought them the win as they limited La Salle to just 26.9 percent shooting from the field while they made 44.4 percent of their shots.
Despite collecting 21 offensive rebounds and forcing NU into five more turnovers than them, La Salle was unable to capitalize and the Lady Archers will have to regroup for the do-or-die Game 3 on Saturday, October 5. Trisha Piatos was the only double digit scorer for head coach Tyrone Bautista’s squad and she finished with 14 points, four threes and three steals. Leading scorer Ara Abaca was shackled by the NU defense and she finished with just six points on 25 percent shooting from the field.
The Lady Archers managed to keep it close as they trailed by just one point at the end of the first period and at halftime, but they were unable to sustain it in the second half. NU entered the fourth period with a 10 point lead after a 14-2 to end the third period gave them the lead for good. The Lady Archers failed to trim the lead further in the final period and only came within 10 points and they eventually lost by 15, 67-52, at the final buzzer.
Despite the disheartening loss, the Lady Archer enter the final game of the season with their heads held high. A win on Saturday will give them their first championship since 2002 and it will erase the sting of last year’s runner-up finish. After winning the Fil-Oil Flying V Preaseason Cup, the Lady Archers seek to finally end their drought with a win in Game 3. The hungry Lady Bulldogs though will do everything in their power to rain on La Salle’s parade.
The scores
NU 67: Tongco 23, Bernardino 14, Gupilan 10, Abriam 7, Bonleon 6, Paig 3, Sison 2, Escoto 2, Seno 0, Antiquiera 0
DLSU 52: Piatos 14, Garcia 8, Santos 7, Abaca 6, Melendres 5, M. Ong 4, A. Ong 4, Corcuera 2, Claro 2, Ramos 0
Quarter scores: 18-17, 31-30, 49-39, 68-52
