Smart-UP, Ever Bilena start series
by Joseph W. Buduan
(December 16, 2008)

Games Today
(Letran gym, Intramuros)
4 p.m. – Ever Bilena vs Smart Buddy-UP

Ever Bilena and Smart Buddy-University of the Philippines start their best-of-three title series in the Women’s Philippine Basketball League (WPBL) today at the Letran gym in Intramuros.

The Gandang Pinay of former PBL Chairman Dioceldo Sy are the slight favorites when they clash with the Manny V. Pangilinan-backed Buddies at 4 p.m. having beaten the latter twice in the classification round, including the playoff for the No. 1 team in Group B.

With former UAAP MVP Marichu Bacaro of University of Santo Tomas at the helm, Ever Bilena beat Smart-UP, 64-52, the first time they met on Nov. 27 before repeating it last Dec. 9, 77-72.

But Ever Bilena coach Patrick Aquino expects a much tougher and interesting showdown this time, saying: “We beat them twice, so I’m sure they’re aching to get back on us. So I expect another close game.. But we’ll be ready.”

One thing going for Smart Buddy-UP is that it’s coming off an impressive 58-54 win over the fancied Nutri-C-Ateneo two days back.

Fatima Tolentino and Sai Sadorra led the Buddies with 13 and 11 points, respectively. They are again expected to lead the charge of the Buddies along with Diwa Paz and Joan Roma.

Ever Bilena advanced to the finals by downing Oracle-Far Eastern University, 62-55, with Bacaro and Nikki Leonardo combining for 35 points.

The Gandang Pinay are actually gunning for a third straight championship after winning the first two tournaments of the league in the 90s. They won their first title in 1998 before retaining it the following year.

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