The Lady Bulldogs defeated University of the Philippines 79 to 44 on Wednesday at UST Quadricentennial Pavilion to mark their 100th victory in the UAAP Women’s Basketball Tournament. The game was all but determined in the first 10 minutes of play.

The Lady Bulldogs’ anguish nine years ago served as the catalyst for the streak. On October 5, 2013, it was defeated by De La Salle University, 69 to 61, in Game Three of the UAAP Season 76 Finals.

With the exception of a few close games during their incredible run, NU has been unstoppable since July 12, 2014. This includes a 78 to 75 victory over University of Santo Tomas last Sunday, win number 99, for the team.

The objective of today was to recover from a very… Parang pangit na defensive game versus UST the previous time out. Aris Dimaunahan, head coach of the Bulldogs, remarked that today’s focus was on defense and how well we could defend.

We performed better today than we did in the UST game, in my opinion. On defense, we sought to re-establish our identity as it stands today. Everyone deserves praise for their effective defense.

NU has defeated Far Eastern University 16 times throughout the run, which has now lasted 3,014 days. They have also triumphed over Ateneo de Manila University, University of the East, and UST 15 times, DLSU 14 times, Adamson University 12 times, and now UP 13 times.

“Once more, this game is an honor for all of my teammates, but especially for my kumpare, coach Pat Aquino, who started this run and is its architect. You’ll all concur with me, I’m sure, that he’s the top women’s basketball coach in the nation. And this victory is in honor of him,” declared Dimaunahan, referring to Aquino, who was responsible for the first 96 victories in the run.

Having jumped out to a 16 to 3 lead early on and never looking back, the Lady Bulldogs completely dominated this game.

Of course, the spark came from graduating Bulldogs Mikka Cacho and Annick Tiky. In NU’s 31-point opening barrage, they each scored seven and six points.

All of the Lady Bulldogs that Dimaunahan fielded, with the exception of newcomers Gheralin Ico and Julia Barroquillo, scored throughout the game. In the final 20 seconds of the game, their advantage increased to 79 to 42, a margin of 37 points.

Princess Fabruada scored eight points and pulled down eight rebounds, while rookie Marylene Solis scored nine points. Ann Pingol finished with six points and seven rebounds as well.

The Fighting Maroons’ lone player to score in double figures was Acrissa Maw.

With 12 points, UP lost to fall to 2 to f2 after having a two-game winning run.

When NU takes on Adamson on Saturday, it will want to keep the winning streak going. In the meantime, UP will play Ateneo on Sunday in an effort to recover.

Scores at the end of the match

NU with 79 points

Individual Scores: Cacho (15), Solis (9), Fabruada(8), Pingol(6), Villareal(6), Tiky(6), Dimaunahan(6), Canuto(4), Clarin(4), Cayabyab(4), Betani(3), Bartol(3), Talas(2), Surada(0), Ico(0), Barroquill(0)

UP with 44 points

Individual Scores: Maw (12) Pesquera (9); Lozada (7); Sanchez (6); Domingo (3); Vingno (3); Jimenez (1); Lebico (1); Bariquit (0); Tapawan (0); Larrosa (0); Sauz (0); Gonzales (0)

Scores Per Quarter

31 to 6, 47 to 18, 59 to 29, 79 to 44