MANILA, Philippines — The NU Lady Bulldogs seek to complete their redemption bid and pull off a 16-0 sweep of the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
Denied by the UST Growling Tigresses of an 8-peat last year, the Lady Bulldogs aim to avenge that painful defeat and end their best-of-3 Finals series in Game Two.
Winning Game One by the slimmest of margins, 71-70, NU looks to bury the defending champ UST in their 1:30 p.m. clash which follows the individual awarding ceremony at 1 p.m.
Unable to accomplish their mission last year, Lady Bulldogs head coach Aris Dimaunahan said he feels like his team has learned its lesson.
“There’s a reason why we play this game. I think more than scoring and all of those things, stats wise, glory, fame, all of those, maybe more of this game is learning. Not only the game, but in life as well,” said Dimaunahan.
“I thought we learned big time last year, for not really closing the game the way it should be closed and in the process, we couldn’t get the championship last year.
“So, we really waited so long for this moment, to be in this stage again, and I’m glad that we’re here in the finals and I’m glad that it was a big test for us.”
Led by coach Haydee Ong, the Growling Tigresses, of course, are raring to bounce back and push the series into a decider.
“We will work on our miscues defensively and we’ll be back stronger,” said Ong.
