After two winless seasons, Philippine Women’s University finally broke through, pulling off a 74-73 thriller over Immaculada Concepcion College to steal the spotlight in the PGFlex-UCAL Season 8 Basketball Tournament on Monday, Feb. 23, at the Paco Arena.
The victory, coming after 27 forgettable games, sparked jubilant celebrations.
The Patriots whooped it up, with several of those who had been with the team from the very start embracing and crying openly at midcourt.
The hero of the moment was sweet-shooting Medwin Antonio.
Toughened by several heartbreaking defeats—including four losses earlier in the season—Antonio sank a clutch basket in the final four seconds, completing the team’s remarkable comeback from multiple double-digit deficits and savoring the sweet taste of victory.
Antonio finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds, ably supported by John Espiritu (16), Miguel Laban (14), and Joey Albert Omaga (9).
PWU’s gutsy stand overshadowed the performances of Centro Escolar University and defending champion Olivarez College, who maintained their top spots with 5-0 and 4-0 records, respectively.
John Renel Jopillo and new recruit Precious Momowei scored 16 and 12 points, respectively, to power the CEU Scorpions to a 96-74 rout of the Manila Central University Supremos, while the Olivarez Sea Lions outhustled the Diliman College Blue Dragons, 69-64.
Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas also notched a key win, defeating bitter rival University of Batangas, 92-87, thanks to Alpha Bah’s explosive 31-point performance—the highest output so far this season.
Keeping their record pristine, the Olivarez Sea Lions got 21 points and 12 rebounds from Hanz Maycong, while Rodel Renon delivered another solid outing with 16 points and 8 boards.
