La Salle downs Lyceum, clinches FCBL-Dickies Cup

MANILA, Philippines - La Salle downed Lyceum, 59-43, to become the first FCBL Dickies Cup champion at the Philippine Buddhacare gym in Quezon City recently.

The Lady Archers, behind Aracelie Abaca and Hannah Viterbo, broke out of a tight game to win pulling away in a victory that augured well for the team’s campaign in the UAAP.

Abaca, who also starred for the team’s 70-67 win over Adamson in the semis, took charge for La Salle in the first half before Viterbo and Alyanna Ong joined in the third quarter to power the Lady Archers to a 45-30 bulge behind a big 18-9 run.

The Intramuros-based squad never recovered from that big La Salle run highlighted by Viterbo’s back-to-back triples.

Abaca finished with 19 points and 15 rebounds and three assists to win not only the Dickies Underwear Player of the Game award but also the coveted Most Valuable Player award in the tournament backed by Smart, Mang Inasal, Home Depot and Powerhouse.

Abaca received her MVP trophy from Jose Atienza, CEO of American Star Apparel Phils., makers of Dickies, and tournament director Horacio Lim.

“With the support of Atienza and Dickies, we’re hoping to stage more tournaments to keep women’s basketball going,” said Lim.

Aside from Abaca also making it to the Mythical Five were Cindy Resultay of University of the East, Folishade Ogunsimuyin of CEU, France Mae Cabinbin of Lyceum and Mary Peñaranda of Adamson.

Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas finished third by outlasting elimination topnotcher Adamson, 72-66.

Also shining for La Salle was Inna Corcuero who chipped in 13 markers while Viterbo wound up with three points – all from the three-point area.