A beautiful win for Ever Bilena
(December 19, 2008)

Games Today
(Guadalupe Viejo Sports Complex)
4 p.m. – Smart Buddy-UP vs Ever Bilena

Ever Bilena rallied mightily in the final half to beat Smart Buddy-University of the Philippines, 64-60, and end a decade-long wait of achieving a grand slam in the Women’s Philippine Basketball League last night at the at the Guadalupe Viejo Sports Complex in Makati.

Almost given up for dead after trailing for most of the game, the Gandang Pinay came through with one big explosion in the crucial fourth period to sweep the Manny V. Pangilinan-backed Lady Maroons in their best-of-three title series.

Ever Bilena wiped out a 51-47 deficit as Ellaine Orillana, a non-factor in Game 1, buried a triple that fueled a vicious 10-0 salvo that finally unnerved the Lady Maroons.

With the win, the Dioceldo Sy-owned squad wrapped up the series, 2-0.

The Gandang Pinay took Game 1, 67-57, was led by PBL Chairman and Harbour Centre owner Mikee Romero, the main responsible for the revival of the tournament, awarded the trophy to the champion squad.

“The tournament was a big success, I just hope teams will the next tournament,” said Romero.

Actually, the title was a grand slam of sort for Ever Bilena having dominated the first two editions of the meet in 1998 and 1999.

“This is sweet, we waited for 10 years to achieve a grand slam,” said Sy.

The scores:

EVER BILENA 64 - Bacaro 18, Buenacosa 18, Ono 11, Leonardo 11, Orillano 3, Casakit 3, Teotico 0, Gregorio 0, Carreon 0, Bombeo 0, Fermin 0, Noscal 0.

SMART BUDDY-UP 60 - Tolentino 21, Bautista 8, Sadorra 8, Cainglet 6, Cruz 4, Roma 4, Tomelden 3, Stevens 3, Cabral 3, Marzan 2, Paz 1, Faustino 0, Payoyo 0, Asistio 0.

Quarters: 16-24; 27-36; 44-47; 64-60.

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