Galeries Tower Skyrisers’ Cindy Resultay during a game against CEO Lady Scorpions in the WMPBL. –WMPBL PHOTO
Galeries Tower and San Juan claimed an early share of the lead in the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League after dominant wins Wednesday at Ynares Sports Center in Pasig.
The Skyrisers handed the Centro Escolar University Lady Scorpions a 56-point drubbing, 102-46, while the Lady Knights demolished the Solar Home Suns, 75-39, in another wire-to-wire affair to close the day.
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Both squads joined Imus, New Zealand-Bluefire, and University of Sto. Tomas atop Group B with a 1-0 record each.
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Cindy Resultay and Rachel Lacayanga set the tone early for Galeries, combining for 22 points in the first half to power the Skyrisers’ 59-point explosion, which quickly drained the fight out of the young Lady Scorpions.
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“We’re thankful because, first of all, it’s the first WMPBL, so the players were really excited. When we were forming this team, we all got goosebumps,” said Skyrisers head coach Ai Lebornio after the victory.
“We’re thankful to Coach Haydee (Ong) and everyone who made this possible. This isn’t just for us; it’s also for the new generation, for the young girls coming up so they can make their mark in women’s basketball,” added the concurrent UE Lady Warriors head coach.
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Five players from Galeries scored in double digits, with former UE Lady Warrior Resultay leading the charge with a game-high 16 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and five steals, while Malian big man Kone followed suit with 15 points, six boards, and four steals.
No player from the side of CEU breached the double-digit mark, with Jhianne Ferolino and Diana Defeles scoring seven points each to lead the reigning WNCAA champion.
San Juan Lady Knights’ Rejoice Adlawan during a WMPBL game. –WMPBL PHOTO
San Juan followed a similar script in the nightcap, barely breaking a sweat against the Suns.
The Lady Knights built a 34-17 lead over Solar Home in the first half, then ramped up their play in the second, extending their biggest lead of the game to 36 points after Mary Cris Mejasco’s short stab with 32.3 seconds remaining.
“For me, it was a good performance for our first game. But, of course, since we still want to improve, there are things we’re lacking in both offense and defense because we only started last December. There are still gaps we haven’t addressed,” said San Juan head coach Christopher John Tolentino.
Cameroonian center Annick Edimo Tiky registered a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Lady Knights, while Rejoice Adlawan scored 12 points as well to go along with nine boards and five assists.
Also finishing in double digits for San Juan are the pair of LJ Miranda and Jhenn Angeles with 11 markers each. Miranda, a former Ateneo Blue Eagle, also had 14 boards and five assists, while Angeles, a former UST Tigress, collected four assists, three rebounds, and two steals.
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Miranda’s former teammate at Ateneo Jollina Go paced the Suns with seven points, while Tin Cortizano, Maria Therese Medina, and Pesky Pesquera all chipped in six markers in the loss.
