National University got off to another slow start but pulled away in the second quarter to keep De La Salle University winless, 86-68, securing its third straight victory in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday, Oct. 12, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

After trailing by as many as seven points in the opening period, the Lady Bulldogs shook off their sluggish start, relying on Tin Cayabyab, Ann Pingol, Angel Surada, and Marga Villanueva to combine for 24 points in the second quarter.

Meanwhile, they held the Lady Archers to just eight points on a dismal 3-of-13 shooting clip.

That second-quarter surge proved decisive, as NU maintained control for the rest of the game, cruising to its third consecutive win and forging a two-way tie for second place with Ateneo de Manila University, both holding identical 4-1 records.

“We responded well during the second quarter. Medyo nakabawi kami doon sa medyo flat na start namin for two games now na we’re starting out slow. Pero, buti naman sa second quarter, nakapag-adjust agad kami,” NU head coach DA Olan said.

In the third frame, the Lady Archers stayed within striking distance, trailing by just 10 points at 44-34.

However, the Lady Bulldogs went on a commanding 22-6 run—highlighted by four consecutive inside baskets from Villanueva, Angela Garcia, Surada, and Cayabyab—to build a 26-point lead, 66-40, that proved insurmountable.

Any hopes of a late La Salle comeback were dashed as a four-point spurt from Surada, followed by back-to-back layups from Cayabyab, extended NU’s wire-to-wire triumph to an 80-55 cushion with less than six minutes left in the fourth period.

Cayabyab finished with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting, along with seven rebounds and one steal, while Villanueva added 15 points, four rebounds, and four steals.

Surada posted a double-double with 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting, 10 rebounds, and two assists, earning a game-high plus-26 rating.

Aloha Betanio contributed eight points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals.

Rookie center Samantha Medina added eight points and two blocks, while Marylene Solis and Dindy Medina chipped in six points each.

The Lady Bulldogs will look to extend their three-game streak against the Ateneo Blue Eagles this Saturday, October 18, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Meanwhile, La Salle’s losing streak stretched to six games, continuing from back-to-back defeats to close Season 87 last year.

Paula Anastacio flirted with a double-double, finishing with 14 points and eight rebounds, along with three steals, while Kyla Go added 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Eli Delos Reyes contributed 10 points and two steals, and Tricia Mendoza had eight points, eight rebounds, and one block.

The Lady Archers will aim to rediscover their winning ways against fellow winless University of the East this Wednesday, October 15, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.