Tigresses stun Lady Archers, nail title berth

MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas downed reigning UAAP champion La Salle, 63-52, to arrange a title showdown with Centro Escolar University in the 3rd Pilipinas Chinese Amateur Basketball League (PCABL) Dickies Women’s Cup last Saturday at the CEU Lumera Tower gym in Legarda.

The Tigresses used a hot start to prevail over the Archers in the penultimate day of the event presented by Dickies before beating College of St. Benilde, 68-63, the following day to emerge as the No. 2 team after the two-round elimination with an 8-2 record.

The Lady Scorpions, on the other hand, had an easy time booking their first final appearance after trouncing Far Eastern University, 79-52, also last Saturday before reaffirming their supremacy over newcomer Fatima, 88-45.

They finished the elims with a 9-1 record – their only loss was inflicted by the Tigress, 73-65, last April 12 in the tournament also sponsored by by Smart Telecom, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Power House, CW Home Depot, Dickies Underwear and Hapee Toothpaste.

The Lady Scorpions and the Tigresses clash in a one-game showdown on Sunday at Philippine Buddhacare Academy gym in Quezon City. In their win over the Lady Archers, Lore Rivera led the team’s well-balanced attack by tallying 10 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and a steal as the Tigress dominated the game from start to finish.

Against the Lady Blazers, Rivera was again the topscorer as she poured 9 of her 18 points in the payoff period to complete their comeback from a 15-point deficit in the first half.

The Lady Archers finished third in the six-team tournament with a 6-4 record while the Lady Tamaraws wound up fourth at 5-5.