DLSZ falls to Miriam College in WNCAA Finals

By Louie Razon

In two heart-thumping games over the weekend, DLSZ fought valiantly but a better and hungrier Miriam College recovered the WNCAA Juniors crown it lost last year to the Junior Lady Archers.  Game 1, played on October 13, started out on even terms but the Junior Lady Archers apparently had more problems adjusting to a new playing venue and shot miserably from the field and from the free throw line.  Feasting on DLSZ turnovers, Miriam erected an 11-point lead in the third quarter, one that it would never relinquish.  Behind stellar play of senior Angel Caldo and sophomore Kristine Teo, the Alabang girls rallied and brought down the lead to 4 and but Zobel was never able to get over the hump and eventually succumbed, 55-49.

Game 2, played on Sunday, was even more dramatic albeit marred by inconsistent officiating.  Playing better this time, DLSZ took the lead at half-time 24-22 and led 48-45 with 2.5 minutes to go.  But Miriam eventually tied the game at 48 apiece with 1.5 min to go.  In a bad break, last year’s MVP Kat Nuñez was whistled for her last foul with 1 minute left in regulation and neither side would score from there as the game went into overtime.  DLSZ struggled without its court general and the game finished  at 53-57.  Coach Barry Tobias considerably shortened his lineup for this game, relying only on eight players.  Angel Caldo and Kristine Teo played 45 minutes each. It was a truly heroic effort for everyone on the team in a game that could have easily gone either way.

In recognition of her vast improvement over last year, Kristine Teo was named to the Mythical Five along with tournament MVP, Patricia Reyes of MiriaM College.

On the bright side, the girls midgets team avenged their older sisters and completed a three-peat by demolishing Miriam, 55-46, even while obviously holding back its punches.  Marga Jimenez was once again named Most Valuable Player.

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