MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – National University remains invincible in UAAP women’s basketball. 

In another perfect campaign, the NU Lady Bulldogs overpowered the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 67-61, to capture their fifth straight championship in Game 2 of the Season 81 Finals on Wednesday, December 5, at the Araneta Coliseum. 

The incredible run extended the Lady Bulldogs’ record winning streak of 80 straight games in 5 seasons. 

“Right from when nagtraining kami last year, sobrang lahat nagbunga, lahat ng sacrifices namin na sobrang sarap na. I’m on Cloud 9, 80-0, sabi nga ni coach ‘Amazing,’” said Jack Animam. 

(Right from when we trained last year, everything bore fruit, all our sacrifices feel so good. I’m on Cloud 9, 80-0, coach did say that the feeling is ‘amazing.’) 

Rhena Itesi lifted the Lady Bulldogs in the second half to finish with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Animam – the team’s lone Mythical 5 member – bagged the Finals MVP award after also racking up a double-double of 15 points and 21 boards.

Tied at 16-all in the opening period, the Lady Bulldogs immediately pulled away to a 41-25 advantage by halftime

The Lady Tamaraws managed to stage a late rally as they waxed hot from beyond the arc, but the Lady Bulldogs’ big lead proved too much to overcome. 

The Scores

NU 67 – Itesi 17, Animam 15, Nabalan 11, Pingol 8, Camelo 8, Del Carmen 7, Canuto 1, Fabruada 0, Layug 0, Cacho 0, Goto 0.

FEU 61 – Quiapo 15, Adriano 9, Mamaril 8, Bahuyan 7, Castro 6, Taguiam 6, Antiola 6, Bastatas 2, Payadon 2, Vidal 0.

Quarters: 18-16, 41-25, 54-44, 67-61.

– Rappler.com