By Jean Malanum
MANILA – University of Santo Tomas banked on Oma Onianwa to prevail over Pilipinas Aguilas, 69-64, Sunday night in Game 2 of the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) Invitational best-of-three finals at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
The Tigresses’ Nigerian center sank a floater for the final score with 17 seconds remaining, as she blocked Aguilas’ Melody Cac’s three-point attempt to seal the victory.
Onianwa finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, three blocks and two steals. She was limited to six points in their 86-95 double-overtime loss in Game 1 on April 16.
Rachell Ambos also performed well, scoring 13 points on 71-percent shooting.
The rubber match will be played 6 p.m. Wednesday at the same venue.
“Of course we’re proud to come back. Actually, our effort and energy were there in the first game. We know that Game 1 was a very heartbreaking loss because it could have gone either way,” UST coach Ged Austria said.
“So proud to have won, but of course even though we won this game, there’s still a lot more work to do. Things to improve on, many. We’ll see, which we’ll study tomorrow,” he added.
Karylle Sierba had 12 points while CJ Maglupay chipped in eight points and 12 rebounds for the Tigresses.
Alexis Pana led Pilipinas Aguilas with 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists, four steals, and a block. Elaine Etang and Mar Prado contributed 14 and 12 points, respectively. (PNA)
