Women’s players take stage in PBA All-Star

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Analyn Almazan and Ewon Arayi took charge in the second half to carry the Light Team to a 43-35 victory over the Dark Team in the PBA Women’s 5×5 All-Star Game Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Almazan poured nine of her 14 points alongside seven rebounds, while Arayi bucked a poor start and finished with 13 markers, to go with her seven boards and three assists.

Ara Abaca captained the late surge for the Dark Team, but fell short in the end. She finished with 10 points, four rebounds, and three assists.

Regardless of the result, the ladies are just honored to show their wares in the big league.

“Siyempre malaking opportunity ito para sa mga babaeng naglalaro. Nakikita na nila na may mga naglalarong babae at baka ma-attract din yung iba pa para maglaro,” said Almazan. “Iba ito kasi PBA na, All-Star pa. Napaka-proud sa pakiramdam namin.”

“We’re happy and excited. Kahit tapos na yung game, we’re still very grateful for this opportunity to showcase our talent, to show that women can play basketball, too,” said Arayi.

Almazan teamed up with Cecille Junsay early for a 12-3 start, before Arayi joined in the party and kept the Abaca-led surge down in the second half.

The women played in two 12-minute halves, shone under the limelight before this year’s All-Stars took center stage in the All-Star Game.

The scores:

LIGHT 43 – Almazan 14, Arayi 13, Junsay 7, Ramos 7, Confesor 2, Japitana 0, Rala 0, Reyes 0, Suarez 0, Vega 0.

DARK 35 – Abaca 10, Borja 7, Batnag 6, Geli 5, Mercado 4, Galang 2, Hufanda 1, Dela Merced 0, Mendoza 0, Torres 0.