MANILA – WMPBL All-Stars overcame a late surge by University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses for an 83-77 win to clinch the Pinoyliga Global Invitational Cup women’s division crown over the weekend at the Enderun Gym in Taguig City.
Allana Lim spearheaded the offense with 24 points to go with six rebounds, two assists, and two steals to be named Player of the Game as the WMPBL All-Stars claimed the title in the week-long competition.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa coaches and sa teammates ko sa tiwala. This was a short but sweet journey with WMPBL All-Stars, and siyempre sobrang grateful kami na binigyan kami ng stage para sa women’s basketball,” Lim said in a post-game interview.
Former UST forward Reynalyn “Tantoy” Ferrer added 20 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Raiza Palmera-Dy contributed 16 points, including three three-pointers, in the win.
Leading by as many as 22 points at 65-43 midway through the third quarter, the WMPBL All-Stars saw their advantage cut to 73-80 by a huge UST run, but they responded with a basket from Analyn Almazan to make it an 82-73 score.
The Growling Tigresses made their last push at 77-82 on two free throws by Angelika Soriano and a basket from Isioma Onianwa, but a split free throw by Palmera-Dy sealed the win for the WMPBL All-Stars.
Negrense Kent Jane Pastrana finished with 17 points, five steals, three rebounds, and three assists, Onianwa added 15 markers, while Nicole Danganan and Brigette Santos contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Growling Tigresses.
The defeat prevented UST from achieving a double championship, as the Growling Tigers had secured the men’s division title earlier in the day with an 80-71 victory against the University of the East Red Warriors./PN
