NU, La Salle in title clash

MANILA, Philippines - Top seed National U routed No. 4 Adamson U in their UAAP Season 76 women’s basketball Final Four rubber match, 66-47, to grab a first-ever stint in the championship round yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Kristine Abriam led four Lady Bulldogs players in double figures, firing 17 points while grabbing 12 rebounds as the Jocson-based cagebelles made a breakthrough title appearance against first finalist La Salle.

The No. 2 Lady Archers took the first berth by beating No. 4 UST, 81-74, last Sunday.

The Lady Falcons repulsed the Lady Bulldogs, 76-71, also last Sunday to force the knockout duel.

NU and DLSU will begin their best-of-three title series on Saturday. 

Anne Gupilan (14 markers and six boards), Risa Paig (11 points, seven caroms) and Andrea Tongco (10 points) also delivered for NU, which led AdU from start to finish. Complementing them was Afril Bernardino who hauled down 10 boards to go with four points, two assists, two steals and two blocks.

Analie Tongco paced the Lady Falcons with 17 points while Joy Cochico had 11 rebounds and eight markers.

The scores:

NU 66 - Abriam 17, Gupilan 14, Paig 11, Tongco 10, Antiquiera 6, Bernardino 4, Sison 2, Bonleon 2, Seno 0, Escoto 0.

AdU 47 - Tongco 17, Cochico 8, Taller 6, Mateo 4, Balasta 4, De Castro 3, Garrido 2, Avila 2, Quingco 1, Ong 0.

Quarterscores: 18-9, 30-20, 43-37, 66-47.