Pacific Water did everything in its power to have a chance for the last playoff ticket in the Pia Cayetano WNBL Season 2021, and now, it’s a game of wait and see.
The Queens turned back Stan Quezon in their final eliminations game, 76-66, Sunday at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The victory brought Pacific Water to 2-6 at the end of the elimination round while pulling down the Lady SparTANs to 1-5 for fourth and fifth seeds, respectively.
The Queens now hope Quezon loses at least one of its last two games for a knockout playoff match for the final playoff berth. Two losses for the Lady SparTANs will give the ticket to Pacific Water with no need for a playoff.
Snow Peñaranda, who missed the last two games, had a successful return for the Queens with 22 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks, and a steal.
A floater by Cara Buendia at the 6:08 mark put Pacific Water comfortably ahead by 14, 64-50.
But the Lady SparTANs had one last run in them as a long two by Kath Araja inched them to within six, 66-72, with 1:28 to go.
However, that shot would be their last basket of the match.
With 4:01 left in the match, Jollina Go who was having a field day with 17 points on a 7-of-10 shooting, suffered an injury and was stretchered out of the court. She did not return.
Cara Buendia also helped the Queens with her best performance of the season with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
Chicky Faraon led Quezon with 17 points and six rebounds, while Dianne Ventura had 12 points off the bench but needed 16 attempts.
Araja flirted with a triple-double of 10 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds while Jo Razolo also got 10 points.
The Scores:
Pacific Water 76 – Peñaranda 22, Go 17, Buendia 12, Cortizano 7, Bilbao 6, Mamaril 6, Adriano 2, Taller 2, Sebastian 2, Balasta 0, Payac 0.
Stan Quezon 66 – Faraon 17, Ventura 12, Razalo 10, Araja 10, Valenzuela 5, Jimenez 5, Tupaz 3, De Austria 2, Taroja 2, Iida 0.
Quarterscores: 15-15, 33-30, 58-47, 76-66.
