NU routs La Salle by 32, steps closer to seventh straight UAAP women's basketball title

National University inched closer to its seventh straight women's basketball title after taking down De La Salle University, 93-61, on Wednesday in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 85 Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After ending the first half at 46-32, the Lady Bulldogs limited La Salle to 29 points in the second half to take the win.

For NU head coach Aris Dimaunahan, they will not celebrate yet despite the win.

"In a short series, it's very important to get the first one. That's our mindset today," Dimaunahan said. 

"We cannot celebrate still. The job is still not done. We have one more game to go," he added.

Mikka Cacho tallied 16 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a steal and a block, while Rhocel Bartolo and Angel Surada added 12 and 10 points each.

Fina Tchuido registered 18 points and 15 rebounds in the loss, while Charmaine Torres and Bettina Binaohan added 14 and 11 points, respectively.

NU will try to shoot for the title in Game 2 of the Finals on Sunday.

The scores:

NU 93 - Cacho 16, Bartolo 12, Surada 10, Clarin 8, Edimo Tiky 8, Cayabyab 7, Pingol 6, Villareal 6, Betanio 5, Solis 5, Fabruada 4, Canuto 3, Dimaunahan 3, Ico 0. Barroquillo 0, Talas 0.

LA SALLE 61 - Niantcho Tchuido 18, Torres 14, Binaohan 11, Sario 9, De La Paz 4, Jimenez 2, Ahmed 2, Arciga 1, Dalisay 0, Castillo 0, Camba 0.

Quarters: 24-15, 46-32, 69-47, 93-61.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News