SIZE, AGGRESSIVENESS, and intensity powered the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs past the Ateneo Lady Eagles, 52-76, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 Women’s Basketball Tournament, on Wednesday, November 4, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Despite their seven made threes, Ateneo could not match NU’s offensive arsenal as the Lady Bulldogs extend the longest winning streak in the history of the UAAP to 75 games.

Jhazmin Joson led the Lady Eagles on offense with 11 points on 2/4 shooting from distance, three assists, and five rebounds. Jollina Go knocked down a trio of three-point baskets, finishing the game with 11 points and two steals. Katrina Guytingco and Nicole Cancio each chipped in seven markers. Guytingco also grabbed six rebounds, four of which came from the offensive glass, while Cancio hauled in five boards.

Double-doubles from NU twin towers, Jack Animam and Rhena Itesi, summed up the pair’s dominance in the paint. Animam put up 20 points on 9/11 shooting, 10 rebounds, and three blocks, and a plus-minus rating of +19. Meanwhile, Itesi chalked up 14 points, 22 rebounds, two blocks, and +23. Ria Nabalan had 10 markers and three assists while Princess Fabruada added eight points and seven rebounds.

Ateneo came in with their guns fully loaded as they converted a trio of baskets beyond the arc in rapid succession to take an early 9-2 lead. The Lady Bulldogs immediately showed why they are the team-to-beat by going on a 13-2 run. They repeatedly looked to their towering duo in the paint for inside points to end the quarter, 11-15.

Animam’s and Itesi’s several offensive rebounds and inside baskets continued to propel the Lady Bulldogs in the second quarter. Joson and Guytingco would step up for the the Katipunan-based squad, combining for 10 of Ateneo’s 12 second quarter points. The effort allowed the Blue and White to trail by just 10 points, 23-33, heading into the dugout.

The beginning of the third period was characterized by a battle for the shaded area, with both teams sizing each other up inside and refusing to settle for looks out on the perimeter. However, as soon as the Lady Bulldogs applied full-court pressure, the Katipunan-based side was rattled and committed turnovers that allowed NU to convert easy fastbreak layups. The Lady Bulldogs’ aggressiveness and intensity on defense netted them a 20-point advantage heading into the final quarter, 35-55.

Animam took over the final frame of the game, asserting her presence in the paint with several post moves to score 11 out of the Sampaloc-based squad’s first 13 points. Go made a couple of triples to add to Ateneo’s account, but it did not have much effect on the outcome of the game as the Lady Bulldogs went on to secure the victory, 76-52.

The Ateneo Lady Eagles will be looking to improve on their 4-7 slate in the tourney when they face the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, 10:00 AM, on Wednesday, November 7, at the Araneta Coliseum.

Quarter Scores:

Ateneo-NU: 11-15, 23-33, 35-55, 52-76

Box Score:

Ateneo (52): Joson 11, Go 11, Guytingco 7, Cancio 7, Buendia 5, Newsome 4, Nimes 3, Villamor 2, Miranda 2, De Dios 0, Payac 0, Gino-Gino 0, Moslares 0, Quirante 0

NU (76): Animam 20, Itesi 14, Nabalan 10, Fabruada 8, Del Carmen 6, Pingol 6, Camelo 5, Layug 3, Canuto 2, Cac 2, Cacho 0, Goto 0, Ceno 0, Harada 0, Bartolo 0