National University dispatched Far Eastern University, prevailing 76-55 to keep solo lead in the UAAP Season 86 Women's Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the Adamson University Gym.

The Lady Bulldogs improved their record to 8-1 — a full game ahead of the UP Fighting Maroons. NU also pushed its winning streak to six games, winning with an average margin of 22.17 points.

“Congratulations to our team for getting the sixth straight win since we lost to UP,” said second-year Lady Bulldogs head coach Aris Dimaunahan.

Camille Clarin and Karl Pingol led NU with 12 points each with the former also tallying five assists, four steals, and three rebounds while the latter got seven rebounds and three steals.

The Lady Bulldogs started strongly by leading as much as 17 points in the first half. 

NU continued its demolition job of FEU after the halftime break. Marylene Solis, Angel Surada, Stef Berbarabe, and Pingol’s six unanswered points gave the Lady Bulldogs their biggest lead at 52-28 with 3:18 left in the third quarter.

Aloja Betanio scored 11 points for the Lady Bulldogs while Surada had nine points, 14 rebounds, six steals, two assists, and two blocks.

The Lady Bulldogs finished the game with 21 steals in the game while forcing the Lady Tamaraws to commit 34 turnovers, which led to 34 turnover points.

“I have to give credit to our team for really defending them on the backcourt. We forced them to (make) tons of turnovers and we scored the same number of points off of those turnovers. I hope this one gives us the momentum for our next game after the break,” expressed Dimaunahan.

NU also defeated FEU in their first-round clash, 95-58, last October 4, 2023.

The defending champions will next play University of Santo Tomas on November 5 at 9 a.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

On the other hand, FEU fell to 3-6 and sixth place in the standings — two games behind fourth-running Ateneo.

Josee Kaputu was the sole bright spot for the Lady Tamaraws, tallying 19 points and 21 rebounds.

“She is the number one player in the league right now. Salute to her for playing that way and talagang magaling,” said Dimaunahan.

FEU will return to action against De La Salle University on Saturday, 11 a.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The Scores:

NU 76 - Clarin 12, Pingol 12, Betanio 11, Surada 9, Cayabyab 8, Berberabe 6, Fabruada 6, Solis 4, Konateh 3, Alcanatara 3, Canuto 2, Bartolo 0, Talas 0, Alterado 0, Ico 0.

FEU 55 - Kaputu 19, Manguiat 9, Aquino 8, Salvani 7, Delos Santos 6, Ong 4, Nagma 2, Antonio 0, Dela Torre 0, Amargo 0, Caringal 0.

Quarterscores: 19-10, 37-23, 52-33, 76-55.