The Centro Escolar University Scorpions completed another dominant season to annex the 49th Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (WNCAA) Seniors Basketball crown by crushing the Philippine Women’s University Patriots, 78-39, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum last November 17.
This marks the eighth straight title for the Lady Scorpions, and first for new coach Michael Buendia.
Known for their high-scoring game, CEU turned up the defense in the fourth period and limited the Lady Patriots to only six points, while scoring 27 of their own to put the result beyond doubt. The Lady Scorpions have won all their nine games by an average of 59.9 points. Game One of the Finals last November 11 at Saint Jude Catholic School was the tightest, 75-68.
Nigerian foreign student-cager Mercy Lawan towered over everyone else to finish with a game-high 17 points and get the nod as Most Valuable Player of the Finals. Stefhanie Ventura followed with 14, while Mythical Five members Rosemarie Gayo and Jenina Solis chipped in nine markers each.
Charlene Camba led PWU with 12 points. Rose Mary Labrador supported her with eight points.
CEU simply bulldozed through the opposition in the single elimination round with routs over PWU (64-42), Saint Scholastica’s College (110-4), University of Makati (87-32), San Beda College-Alabang (93-41), Assumption College (100-16), and University of Asia and the Pacific (105-9).
They then eliminated the UMak Lady Herons in the crossover semifinals, 104-26, last November 10 to set up the duel with the Lady Patriots.
PWU proved to be a tough customer in the series opener and even led after three periods, 53-50. However, the Lady Scorpions staged a major rally in the fourth. Lawan led all scorers with 16 points, followed by Ysai Llosola with 12.
The Scores:
Game Two (November 17)
CEU (78) – Lawan 17, Ventura 14, Gayo 9, Solis 9, Doloque 7, Llosala 5, Banih 5, Pacada 4, Alcantara 3, Samarago 2, Galgo 2, Raquial 1, Bayking 0, Bariquit 0.
PWU (39) – Camba 12, Labrador 8, Petilla 7, Medora 7, Sison 5, Montilla 0, Samaco 0, Tupaz 0, Aure 0.
Quarterscores: 14-6, 39-21, 51-33, 78-39.
Game One (November 11)
CEU (75) – Lawan 16, Llosala 12, Ventura 11, Gayo 9, Solis 9, Banih 7, Bayking 6, Galgo 3, Doloque 2, Samarago 0, Bariquit 0.
PWU (68) – Montilla 13, Camba 13, Labrador 13, Medora 12, Petilla 7, Aure 6, Samaco 4. Sison 0.
Quarterscores: 12-15, 31-40, 50-53, 75-68.
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