Lady Archers needed to play 'perfect game' to beat 'perfect' Lady Bulldogs, says DLSU coach
MANILA, Philippines – DLSU Lady Archers head coach Cholo Villanueva knew what it took to be able to beat a team like the NU Lady Bulldogs.
As six-time defending champions and owners of the UAAP's longest winning streak, and with weapons like Kristine Cayabyab, Camille Clarin, Karl Ann Pingol and Mikka Cacho among others, the Lady Bulldogs almost look unbeatable.
And they have been since 2013 — until Wednesday when Villanueva's Lady Archers edged the Lady Bulldogs in overtime, 61-57, in UAAP Season 85 women’s basketball at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Aware of the sheer caliber of their foes, Villanueva said that there was no room for mistakes for his wards.
"It means a lot. Playing a perfect game against a perfet team to win, to win and [to] end yung streak, that's what you need to beat a perfect team like NU so we played perfectly," said Villanueva after the game.
"My girls played perfectly on offense and on defense. Their hearts were always there, they didn't want to give that win, even though we went into overtime, so our heart, our pride, our competitiveness went in there every possession. That's why we were talking about it, just winning every quarter and eventually we won five quarters and we won the game," he continued.
It was poetic for the Lady Archers, who were also the last ones to beat the Lady Bulldogs back in 2013 in Game Three of the UAAP Season 76 finals.
But Villanueva knows that it's not the end-goal yet, and admitted that La Salle's women's hoops program is still behind NU's.
"Malayo pa, malayo, malayo. It's far. For us, we're just a work in progress," said Villanueva.
"Coming from not coming into the Final Four for the past few years, and then eventually having our first achievement which is entering the Final Four, now we're in the twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four, which is what we want and then it's parang, it's an added bonus that we stopped a streak," he added.
Though they're high on the achievement, as they snapped NU's streak at 108 games, the veteran mentor knows that it's only one step in their long-term goal.
"It wasn't really a goal for us, it was just one game that we wanted to win to get the twice-to-beat advantage. It was just part of the journey to get the championship in this year's UAAP," he said.
"So, we're happy for the first achievement, we're especially happy for this, another achievement, but again, we're not yet done, we want to win all the way."
Villanueva also relished the victory even more, considering that he will be celebrating his birthday on Thursday.
"First time na nagbirthday gift sa akin itong mga to eh," Villanueva quipped.
"Birthday ko bukas eh. So, special day, special win, special team, and we want more," he added.
Up next for the Lady Archers are the listless UE Lady Warriors on Saturday to wrap up eliminations. They will attempt to clinch the twice-to-beat advantage for the Final Four with a win over UE.
The UAAP women's basketball tournament will have a traditional Final Four for the first time since UAAP Season 76 after the Lady Bulldogs all clinched outright finals berths since then.
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