By Jean Malanum
MANILA – The Pilipinas Aguilas defeated the University of Santo Tomas, 54-45, in Game 3 Wednesday night to secure the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) Invitational title at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Mar Prado scored 16 points on 7-of-13 shooting and had 12 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks as the Aguilas held a 10-2 run to take a 51-43 lead with 4:16 remaining.
The Aguilas, who won Game 1 in double overtime, 95-86, trailed 3-14 in the first quarter before staging a rally to tie the score, 41-41, at halftime.
“For me, it’s really about the players. I was telling the players before the game, what is the story of the Aguilas? And you have players from all sorts of backgrounds. Some were students, some were in the army, some are coming back from bad injuries, one player, Lexi (Pana), is reconnecting with her roots, so the story behind each and every player is something very special,” said Pilipinas Aguilas head coach Paulo Layug.
“The makeup of the team, the character of the team, you rarely get to coach a team like this. That’s why I’m very grateful. It was really an honor to be their coach this season.”
Alexis Pana contributed 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and five steals. She was named Finals MVP after averaging 16.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 3.6 steals throughout the series.
Cheska Apag chipped in 13 points, including three triples, to go with four rebounds, five assists, and four steals.
Kent Pastrana finished with eight points, five rebounds, and three assists for the Tigresses, who registered a 69-64 win in Game 2 to force the rubber match.
Agatha Bron, Rachelle Ambos and Karylle Sierba also delivered eight points, while Oma Onianwa chipped in six points on top of 17 rebounds. (PNA)
