PSI beat Taguig, 76-73, in the finals opener of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) Season 1 at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Kat Sandel had an impressive all-around game adorned by 13 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and three blocks as she led the Lady Air Defenders to within a win of wrapping up the best-of-three title series.
Cindy Resultay topscored for the Lady Air Defenders with 18 points while Anna Buendia added 16 points in the victory over the second-seeded Lady Generals.
The fourth-seeded Lady Air Defenders, who stunned top-ranked Philippine Navy in the semifinals, will look to claim the crown next week in Game 2 of the championship series.
Sandel broke a 69-69 deadlock with a free throw before Gemma Miranda hit a jumper to increase the lead to three.
Sandel also hit two crucial free throws with 13 seconds left to keep the lead at three, 76-73. Miranda preserved the win by blocking Chack Cabinbin’s three-point try.
Janine Pontejos topscored with 17 points in a losing effort for the Lady Generals.
The scores:
PSI LADY AIR DEFENDERS 76 – Resultay 18, Buendia 16, Sandel 13, Miranda 10, Columna 9, Almazan 4, Bernardo 4, Ortega 2, Tecson 0, Paig 0.
TAGUIG LADY GENERALS 73 – Pontejos 17, Sto. Domingo 11, Soriano 10, Cabinbin 9, Sambile 8, Flormata 8, Borja 5, Garcia 3, Roque 2, Gelisan 0, Comeso 0, Lavalle 0.
Quarterscores: 15-20, 35-41, 61-59, 76-73.
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