HOOPS

Uratex asserts WPBA dominance

Mary Snow Peñaranda finished with eight points in the runner-up finish by Gilas B, which was handled by Mark Solano

DAILY TRIBUNE · Feb 20, 2024, 12:04 AM

MEMBERS of Uratex celebrate with SBP president Al Panlilio (right) and PBA commissioner Willie Marcial (fourth from right) after ripping Gilas B to win the inaugural title of the Women’s PBA Invitational tournament. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF PBA

Uratex owns the bragging rights as the inaugural champion of the Women's Philippine Basketball Association Invitational.

Shanda Anies and Eunique Chan took turns in torching Gilas B to hack out a convincing 22-15 win and claim the title in the revived women's three-a-side tournament that came to a close Monday at the Ayala Malls Glorietta.

Anies finished with 10 points including the title-clinching deuce, while Chan added eight for Uratex, which came to the semis as the No. 2 seeded team.

Samantha Harada and Kaye Pingol rounded out the scoring for the Dream of coach Katrina Quimpo.

Earlier, Uratex survived a gritty showing by former national team player Allana Lim and Angelis Resort in their semifinal meeting, 21-20, to advance in the finals.

Pingol scored on a free throw to end the bid of the Lady Splashers, who were led by the 12 points of Lim.

Meanwhile, Gilas B stunned top seed Philippine Navy-Go For Gold, 19-15, in the other semis pairing to arrange the title showdown with Uratex.

Mary Snow Peñaranda finished with eight points in the runner-up finish by Gilas B, which was handled by Mark Solano.