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| PSI-Air Force became the inaugural WNBL champ. |
By Dugout Philippines
MANILA—PSI-Air Force overcame Taguig, 72-61, last Sunday to sweep the finals of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) Season 1 at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Gemma Miranda scored 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds for PSI Air in Game 2 to lead the Lady Air Defenders to the title in the women’s basketball league’s inaugural season.
Miranda, a member of the Gilas Pilipinas Women in the recent FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in India, was also named finals MVP for her efforts in the entire series.
PSI Air was dominant from the start, holding a 26-point lead at one point in the game on its way to sweeping the championship series.
The Lady Air Defenders also completed their Cinderella run by winning the crown as the fourth seed in the semifinals.
They finished fourth in the eliminations with a 4-2 card, and swept the playoffs including an upset series win over top-ranked Philippine Navy.
Anna Buendia churned 12 points, and Cindy Resultay had 11 points and nine rebounds in PSI Air’s victory in Game 2.
National standout Janine Pontejos won the season MVP, an award that was given to her before Game 2.
She had 21 points in the match but the Lady Generals still fell short in grabbing the title.
Led by the efforts of Ambie Almazan and Kat Sandel, the Lady Air Defenders went on an 8-0 start and had a 14-2 led after a jumper by Buendia. Miranda hit back-to-back baskets and PSI Air grabbed a 30-14 lead.
PSI Air continued to dominate as Fria Bernardo converted a jumper late in the third quarter to increase the lead further to 57-31 in Game 2.
Scores:
PSI AIR 72 – Miranda 23, Buendia 12, Resultay 11, Columna 8, Sandel 7, Almazan 7, Bernardo 4, Ortega 0, Tecson 0, Avila 0, Paig 0.
TAGUIG 61 – Pontejos 21, Sto. Domingo 10, Borja 8, Cabinbin 7, Sambile 6, Gelisan 3, Garcia 2, Flormata 2, Lavalle 2, Comeso 0, Roque 0.
Quarterscores: 19-11, 37-21, 57-36, 72-61.
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