Blackwater Elite leaned on Perlas veterans, Allana Lim and Camille Sambile, in a 15-8 win over Rain or Shine in the PBA Dickies 3-on-3 Women’s Tournament, Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The duo combined for the last five points of the match to secure the win for the Elite, who are in Group A of the tournament.
“Kinakabahan kami dahil first time namin makalaro sa ganito pero sobrang saya dahil nanalo kami,” Sambile said.
Lim and Sambile helped the Elite break away from a 10-8 lead against the Elasto Painters, scoring five straight to end the game quickly.
In the second game, the NLEX Road Warriors easily dispatched the Star Hotshots, 14-6.
The connection of guard Fria Bernardo and big Angelica Ortega worked wonders, giving NLEX a 6-2 lead.
Later, a two by Ana Buendia followed by more baskets by Ortega extended the lead to 13-4.
Ayra Hufanda ended the drought for the Hotshots with a two, although time expired as Star fell to a team that showed more cohesion on the floor.
Big dreams for women’s hoops
Sambile and Bernardo both represented the country several times in the past, and they have big dreams for women’s basketball in the country.
Bernardo said having a women’s league gives opportunity for talents to find a home.
“Nakakatuwa dahil mas makikilala pa ang mga babae. Sabi nga nila magkakaroon ng D-League, so sana magtuloy dahil yung iba, after (college) work na,” Bernardo said.
“So kami ngayong mga graduate na, andito ngayon nagkakasama. Sana magtuloy-tuloy. Sana magkaroon ng WPBA. Sa ibang bansa like Thailand, mas (sikat) ang women’s (basketball).”
Sambile added the league would help the national cause in the long run.
“Ito ang hinihintay ng mga player dito dahil sa ibang bansa marami silang liga. Masaya na maka-experience ng ganito. Sana magtuloy-tuloy dahil para makapagprepare sa liga ng ibang bansa like FIBA,” Sambile said.
“Sa Philippines hindi gaanong kalalaki ang mga player so kailangan nila ng mga liga katulad nito para matrain pa sila.”
The top two teams in each of the two groups move to the crossover semi-finals.
The PBA uses a 9-minute regulation, a 14-second shot clock, and a race-to-15 format in its 3-on-3 league.
*Photos by PBA Images
