PSI grabbed the finals series opener last Sunday after beating Taguig, 76-73, in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) Season 1 at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Kat Sandel had an all-around game as she contributed 13 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and three blocks to propel the Lady Air Defenders to the Game 1 win in the best-of-three finals series.
Cindy Resultay topscored for the Lady Air Defenders with 18 points, and Anna Buendia added 16 points in the victory over the Lady Generals, the second-seed team in the playoffs.
The fourth-seed 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 scored clutch points as she broke a 69-69 deadlock with a free throw, even as Gemma Miranda hit a jumper to increase the lead to three.
Sandel also hit two crucial free throws with 13 seconds left to pad the lead again to three, 76-73, before the Lady Air Defenders displayed tough defense in the end game, with Chack Cabinbin’s triple being blocked by Miranda in the final possession.
Janine Pontejos had 17 points in a losing effort for the Lady Generals.
The Scores:
PSI Air Force 76 – Resultay 18, Buendia 16, Sandel 13, Miranda 10, Columna 9, Almazan 4, Bernardo 4, Ortega 2, Tecson 0, Paig 0.
Taguig 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.
