Ever Bilena faces Smart-UP in finals
(December 15, 2008)

Game Tomorrow
(Letran gym)
4 p.m. – Ever Bilena vs Smart Buddy-UP

Ever Bilena and Smart Buddy-University of the Philippines scored similar thrilling wins over separate rivals yesterday to set up an interesting title duel in the in the Women’s Philippine Basketball League (WPBL).

The Manny V. Pangilinan-backed Lady Maroons stunned heavily favored Nutri-C-Ateneo, 58-54 while Ever Bilena made a return trip to the finals by outsteadying Oracle Residences-Far Eastern University, 62-55, at the Lyceum gym in Intramuros.

Nikki Leonardo and Remia Buenacosa shone brightest for Gandang Pinay as they hit four points each in a blazing finish to clinch the first finals berth in the revival tournament.

For a while, the Sheila Romero-managed Oracle-FEU squad looked headed for an upset win when they took a 55-54 lead on a basket by Kat Reyes with 2:20 remaining.

But it proved to be their last gallant stand as Ever Bilena poured on the heat to regain the lead for good.

“They showed their big fighting heart today, they did not give up despite our poor start,” said Pat Aquino, the same coach who steered the Dioceldo Sy-owned squad to two championships in the 90s before the league took a leave after the 1999 season.

Joan Roma starred for the Lady Maroons, scoring six of her 10 points in the payoff period that kept the Lady Eagles at bay.

The Lady Maroons also did an awesome job on Ateneo star Cassy Tioseco as they held the RP team veteran to just two points in the fourth period. The 6-foot Tioseco finished with 12 points.

PBL Chairman Mikee Romero of Harbour Centre was responsible for the revival of the tournament as he seeks to help raise the level of women’s basketball in the country.

The best-of-three title series starts tomorrow at Letran.

Leonardo topscored for Gandang Pinay with 18 points while UAAP MVP Marichu bacaro tallied 17, most of them in the first half that prevented Oracle from pulling away.

Raiza Palmera paced Oracle with 15 markers.

The scores:

First Game

Ever Bilena 62 – Leonardo 18, Bacaro 17, Buenacosa 9, Carreon 6, Ono 4, Casakit 3, Bombeo 2, Fermin 1, Obrador 0, Teotico 0, Orillana 0, Gregorio 0, Noscal 0.

Oracle-FEU 55 – Palmera 15, Reyes 13, Positos 9, Vinas 7, Yazon 4, Serna; 3, Rivera 2, Nido 2, Tiu 0, Astrero 0, Cabochan 0.

Quarters: 11-20; 32-31; 46-46; 62-55.

Second Game

Smart-UP 58 – Tolentino 13, Sadorra 11, Paz 10, Roma 10, Stevens 8, Marzan 4, Cainglet 2, Tomelden 0, Faustino 0, Bautista 0, Cruz 0, Payoyo 0, Asistio 0.

Nutri-C-Ateneo 54 – Tioseco 12, Limgenco 9, Matreo 8, Delos Reyes 7, Gadian 6, Indigne 5, Lopa 3, Chua 2, Grajales 2, Co 0.

Quarters: 9-11; 30-24; 46-43; 58-54.

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