Galeries Tower and San Juan made emphatic statements in their debut games, securing dominant victories to share the early lead in the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) last Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig.
The Skyrisers dismantled the Centro Escolar University (CEU) Lady Scorpions with a stunning 56-point rout, 102-46, in the opening match.
Later in the night, the Lady Knights cruised past the Solar Home Suns with a decisive 75-39 victory in another wire-to-wire affair.
Both teams now share the top spot in Group B alongside Imus, New Zealand-Bluefire, and University of Santo Tomas, each holding a 1-0 record.
Galeries wasted no time asserting dominance, with Cindy Resultay and Rachel Lacayanga combining for 22 first-half points to fuel a 59-point explosion.
This offensive barrage left the young Lady Scorpions reeling, as the Skyrisers continued to pile on the points, eventually extending their lead to 59, capped by a Kamba Kone turnaround jumper with just over a minute left.
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“Actually, bago kami pumunta dito, sobrang thankful kami kasi unang-una, first WMPBL, so ‘yung mga bata talaga excited. Nung binubuo namin ‘tong team na ‘to, lahat kami nago-goosebumps,” said Skyrisers head coach Ai Lebornio.
“Thankful kami kay Coach Haydee (Ong) at sa lahat ng bumubuo nito na nagawa nila ‘to. Hindi lang naman ‘to para sa amin, para rin ito sa mga new generation, ‘yung mga darating na batang babae (para) sila naman ‘yung mag-boom dito sa women’s basketball,” added the concurrent UE head coach.
Galeries showcased balanced scoring, with five players hitting double digits.
Former UE Lady Warrior Cindy Resultay led with 16 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and five steals. Kone added 15 points, six boards, and four steals, while former NU Lady Bulldog Princess Fabruada chipped in 13 points and four steals.
Lacayanga contributed 12 markers, and Ambie Almazan dominated the boards with a double-double of 10 points and 19 rebounds alongside six assists.
The Lady Scorpions, reigning WNCAA champions, struggled to find their footing, with Jhianne Ferolino and Diana Defeles managing just seven points each to lead their side.
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San Juan followed suit in the evening matchup, cruising past the Solar Home Suns to secure its own lopsided victory.
The Lady Knights took control early, building a 34-17 halftime lead before extending the margin to as much as 36 points, sealed by Mary Cris Mejasco’s basket in the final moments.
“Para sa akin, first game, masasabi ko good performance. Pero syempre, dahil ‘yung gusto pa rin namin, may mga kulang pa kasi kami sa offense saka sa defense eh since nag-start lang kami nung last December,” said San Juan head coach Christopher John Tolentino.
Cameroonian center Annick Edimo Tiky anchored the Lady Knights with a double-double performance of 12 points and 10 rebounds. Rejoice Adlawan also added 12 points, nine boards, and five assists. Former
Ateneo Blue Eagle LJ Miranda contributed 11 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists, while former UST Tigress Jhenn Angeles rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points, four assists, and two steals.
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On the losing end, Jollina Go led the Suns with seven points, while Tin Cortizano, Maria Therese Medina, and Pesky Pesquera each added six points in the defeat.
The Scores:
First Game:
Galeries Tower 102 – Resultay 16, Kone 15, Fabruada 13, Lacayanga 12, Almazan 10, Buendia 9, Canuto 8, Buscar 4, Tecson 4, Abriam 4, Manzanares 4, Bernardo 3, Vacalaeres 0, Ramos 0
CEU 46 – Defeles 7, Ferolino 7, Garcia 6, Gumapo 6, Tapinit 4, Banih 4, Mahusay 4, Bautista 3, Autida 2, Montecalbo 2, Cadano 1,
Quarterscores: 27-9, 59-20, 79-34, 102-46.
Second Game:
San Juan 75 – Adlawan 12, Edimo Tiky 12, Angeles 11, Miranda 11, Mejasco 7, Sanchez 6, Panti 6, Peñaroyo 4, Salapong 2, Gonzales 2, Ventura 2, Parungao 0, Sulit 0, Marcos 0
Solar Home 39 – Go 7, Cortizano 6, Medina 6, Pesquera 6, Rodas 5, Valenzuela 4, Moslares 2, Batnag 2, Pocallan 1, Ferrer 0, Generoso 0, Lirazan 0, Young 0, Brenzuela 0, Tolentino 0
Quarterscores: 16-9, 34-17, 47-30, 75-39.
