It was the Lady Bulldogs’ first tournament without multi-champion coach Pat Aquino, but current head coach Aris Dimaunahan demonstrated that NU is a powerhouse by guiding the team to a 21-18 triumph.

NU completed a clean 8-0 slate as Camille Clarin showed the way with eight points, eight rebounds, and five assists.

With the said win, NU extended its win streak in the tournament as Kristine Cayabyab had six points and seven boards, while Ann Pingol and Angelica Surada added four and three markers, respectively against UST.

Clarin hit back-to-back long shots and assisted on an Surada’s layup to help NU take a 12-7 lead before UST rallied behind Jovylyn Pangilinan’s strong shooting—who paced the Tigresses with 14 points on 7 two-pointers.

Pangilinan led UST within a hair of winning, 17-18, but the Lady Bulldogs refused to back down, as Cayabyab produced the championship-clinching putback after Clarin’s miss to finish off UST.

The Scores:

NU 21 – Clarin 8, Cayabyab 6, Pingol 4, Surada 3.

UST 18 – Pangilinan 14, Soriano 3, Bron 1, Ferrer 0.