Lady Bulldogs stretch amazing streak to 108  

MANILA, Philippines —  Six-time reigning champion National U crushed University of Santo Tomas, 87-64, for its 108th consecutive win and a sure twice-to-beat incentive in the UAAP Season 85 women’s basketball tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

Skipper Mikka Cacho posted a double-double of 25 points and 13 rebounds plus two steals as the unbeaten Lady Bulldogs beefed up their bid for another automatic finals appearance with a 12-0 card.

A win by NU in the last two games against La Salle and Adamson would catapult it to its eighth straight finals appearance, turning the traditional Final Four playoffs into a stepladder format once again.

Backstopping Cacho in pushing the Lady Bulldogs closer to that goal was Angel Surada, who uncorked a 14-12 double-double of her own with Camille Clarin (12), Ann Pingol (10) and Kristine Cayabyab (10) also chipping in help.

“Mikka was the spark for our team. She was huge. Being the captain of this team, she led us,” said coach Aris Dimaunahan, whose wards needed one last hurrah to fend off Santo Tomas at home.

Up by just four early in the payoff period, NU unloaded a 17-3 rally to run away with a comfortable 79-61 upperhand on its way to a bigger win this time after a slim 78-75 triumph in the first round.

Earlier, Sarah Makanjuola dropped 22 markers, 10 boards and two blocks as Ateneo clipped Far Eastern U, 67-50, to keep its Final Four hopes alive at 6-6.

Santo Tomas (9-3) slid down to third place as FEU crashed out of contention at 2-10.