Lady Bulldogs rout Lady Tams, near UAAP women’s basketball crown

MANILA, Philippines – There’s still no stopping unbeaten National U as the rampaging Lady Bulldogs overpowered Far Eastern U, 80-58, to move a win away from their first-ever title Wednesday in the UAAP Season 77 women’s basketball finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Lady Bulldogs, who swept the 14-game elims to seize an outright finals berth with thrice-to-beat advantage, wasted little time asserting themselves against the Lady Tams and stormed to a 24-9 tear in the first period.

After 20 minutes of play, the NU cagebelles were comfortably ahead, 44-16, and even enjoyed a 30-point bubble at one point en route posting to their 15 straight triumph this season.

The Lady Bulldogs will gun for the historic tiara on Saturday at the MOA Arena.

Season MVP Afril Bernardino shrugged off an injury she suffered in the first quarter to dish out 12 points and grab 10 rebounds while Gemma Miranda came off the bench to shoot 12 and grab 11 boards in leading NU.

Shelley Gupilan and Kristine Abriam added 10 apiece in a balanced attack by the Lady Bulldogs.

Jacq Tanaman and towering Claire Castro paced FEU with 12 each.

The Scores:

NU 80 – Bernardino 12, Miranda 12, Abriam 10, Gupilan 10, Escoto 8, Sison 7, Tongco 6, Antiquiera 5, Paig 4, Nabalan 2, Seno 2, Villegas 2, Castro 0, Layug 0, Maghibon 0.

FEU 58 – Tanaman 12, Castro 12, Valenzona 9, Siat 8, Ventura 8, Arellano 5, Chan 2, Lozano 2, Baldonado 0, Gabriel 0, Abat 0.

Quarterscores: 24-9, 44-16, 60-39, 80-58.