Galeries Tower and San Juan won in similar fashion to kick off their respective title bids in the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig on Wednesday night.
Cindy Resultay, a former University of the East Lady Warrior, had a game-high 16 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and five steals in leading the Skyrisers to a 102-46 victory over the Centro Escolar University Lady Scorpions.
Kamba Kone chipped in 15 points, six boards, and four steals, followed by Princess Fabruada with 13 points and four steals, Rachel Lacayanga with 12 points, and Ambie Almazan with 10 points, 19 rebounds and six assists.
“Actually, before we came here, we were very thankful because first of all, it was the first WMPBL so the kids were really excited. When we formed this team, we all got goosebumps,” said Galeries Tower head coach Ai Lebornio after the match.
“We are thankful to Coach Haydee (Ong), to all the members who made it possible. It’s not just for us, it’s also for the new generation, the girls (for) them to boom here in women’s basketball,” added Lebornio, who also coaches the UE Lady Warriors.
Jhianne Ferolino and Diana Defeles scored seven points each for CEU, the reigning WNCAA champion.
In the other game, San Juan clobbered Solar Home, 75-39.
Cameroonian center Annick Edimo Tiky scored 12 points on top of 10 rebounds for the Lady Knights, who took a 34-17 lead at halftime.
Rejoice Adlawan contributed 12 points, nine boards and five assists.
“For me, first game, I can say good performance. But of course, because that’s what we still want, we still lack some things in offense and defense since we only started last December. There are still some missing that we can’t see,” San Juan head coach Christopher John Tolentino said.
LJ Miranda, who played for Ateneo, and Jhenn Angeles, a former UST Tigress, scored 11 points each.
Miranda also had 14 rebounds and five assists, while Angeles made four assists, three rebounds, and two steals.
Ex-Ateneo Jollina Go led the Suns with seven points, while Tin Cortizano, Maria Therese Medina, and Pesky Pesquera added six points each.
Winners in the opening day last Jan. 20 were UST over Discovery, 82-67; Imus-Sis-VBL over PSP, 73-70; and New Zealand-Bluefire over Cavite, 54-51. (PNA)