By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs pulled off one of the most lopsided victories in the history of the UAAP Women’s Basketball Tournament after obliterating the University of the East (UE), 103-48, in the ongoing Season 87 on October 26, 2024, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Too strong, too dominant, too much to handle.
For four straight quarters, the Lady Bulldogs displayed a flawless brand of basketball and outplayed UE in all departments of the game, hosting a wire-to-wire massacre on a Saturday morning in Pasay.
From the get-go, the Lady Bulldogs already sucked the life out of the struggling UE squad that only scored a deuce in the first 10 minutes of the ball game.
As a result of the Lady Bulldogs’ inspired opening quarter performance, the cushion quickly ballooned to 27 points, 29-2, heading into the second frame.
Despite any attempt to trim their deficit at the start of the period, NU’s firepower was just too much as their outside and inside scoring added to UE’s woes as the game went on.
From their high-low post-up plays to their generated three-pointers off well-designed curls, the Lady Bulldogs officially blew the game wide open, putting UE in a difficult spot in terms of adjustment.
UE briefly tried to deploy a mixed zone defense and forced NU to produce their points off drives but that also didn’t affect the rolling Lady Bulldogs as they hosted their most dominant performance in the third.
During that stretch, the Lady Bulldogs outscored UE, 27-7, replicating its first-quarter outing that extended their lead to 51 points.
UE then decided to pull out all of their starters and could only watch the waxing-hot NU squad pick them apart until the final buzzer sounded.
Gilas Pilipinas women and NU leader Camille Clarin showed the way for the Lady Bulldogs as the veteran all-around player tallied 16 points, two rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
Ann Pingol, another national team staple member, also joined the splash party and contributed 12 markers, four boards, two dimes, and a block.
With the win, the Lady Bulldogs just formalized their slot in the UAAP Women’s Season 87 Final Four spot and are still undefeated in nine games.
