Despite the outcome of their games, the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs follow Aris Dimaunahan’s “24-hour rule.”

“Merong rule si Coach Aris na after a game, after a win, we have 24 hours to celebrate and to be happy about that,” team captain Mikka Cacho recalls. “And then after noon, we gotta stay focused and start na ulit kaming mag-training, and back to zero na ulit kami.”

Cacho, on the other hand, would not deny that the outcome of their UAAP Season 85 second round game versus De La Salle University is still one of her prime motivators now that they are in the finals.

On November 23, the Lady Archers defeated the Lady Bulldogs 61-57, delivering NU their first setback since 2013. It broke NU’s 108-game winning streak, which included six straight UAAP women’s basketball crowns.

“For me, siyempre,” Cacho responded when asked if the defeat still hurts. “‘Yun ang isa sa pinakatahimik na dugout na narinig ko, sa buong career ko dito sa NU.”

“Pero mas naka-motivate sa akin ‘yun, kasi gusto ko ‘yung susunod na last na laro ko dito sa NU, ‘yun ang pinakamaingay na gusto ko rin marinig dito,” she continued.

Cacho ensured that the Lady Bulldogs removed a portion of the hurt from that setback on Wednesday afternoon, as she guided the team to a 93-61 victory against La Salle in Game 1 of the Season 85 finals.

Her three-pointer late in the first quarter capped an 18-4 NU run that placed them in command, and they went on to win by as many as 33 points. In little over 17 minutes, the veteran ended with 16 points on 5-of-7 shot.

NU is now on the verge of winning the UAAP women’s basketball title for the eighth time in a row. Cacho stated that they must obey their coach’s 24-hour guideline and promptly turn their emphasis this time.

“Focus na ulit sa next game namin sa Sunday,” she remarked. “ayun, focused kami sa game palagi.” “Kahit anong mangyari, bibigay namin lahat pag-tungtong namin sa court, kasi binibigyan kami lahat ni Coach Aris ng tiwala, so dapat ibalik namin sa kanya.”

Dimaunahan, for his part, is keeping his team calm despite their convincing Game 1 victory. He is fully aware that the Lady Archers are capable of defeating them and urges the Lady Bulldogs to remain focused.

“We coaches always remind the players to play this game in a 40-minute span. Kailangan, from the start, the middle, hanggang final buzzer, laruin namin kung anong laro ng,” he emphasized.

The second game is scheduled for Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.