Lady Scorpions reign in Dickies Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Centro Escolar University rallied in the third quarter and hacked out a thrilling 95-91 overtime win over University of Santo Tomas to capture the third Pilipinas Chinese Amateur Basketball League (PCABL) Dickies Cup crown at the Philippine Buddhacare gym in Quezon City last weekend.

Janine Pontejas erupted for a tournament-high and career-best 40 points, including five in extension, as she led the Lady Scorpions’ come-from-behind victory in the annual tournament presented by Dickies.

The Lady Scorpions fell behind by 16 points late in the third but fought back behind the red-hot shooting of Pontejas and Christine Caranto and the hustle of Doloque and Lou Villanueva.

They outscored the Tigresses, 27-14, in the payoff period, including a clutch basket by Doloque that forced the overtime.

Shade Ugunsemoyin also stepped up in extension, scoring four of her 10 points while pulling down two rebounds that helped seal the win for the Lady Scorpions.

Caranto added 18 points while Doloque chipped in nine markers.

Pontejas highlighted her stellar performance with five triples, three rebounds and two assists to cop the Finals MVP while Ugunsemoyin took the MVP plum.

Pontejas, Ugunsemoyin and Caranto also made it to the Mythical Selection along with UST’s Lore Rivera and Kim Reyes.

Other backers of the event were Smart Telecom, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Power House, CW Home Depot, Dickies Underwear and Hapee Toothpaste.