The University of Santo Tomas (UST) aims to clinch the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) Invitational title as it faces Pilipinas Aguilas in a winner-take-all Game 3 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
The Tigresses forced the deciding match after edging the Aguilas, 69-64, in Game 2 last Sunday, thanks to the dominant performance of Nigerian center Oma Onianwa, who dropped 30 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, and two steals. Rachelle Ambos added 13 points in the bounce-back win, following UST’s 86-95 double overtime loss in Game 1.
Onianwa and Ambos will again lead UST’s title bid, with expected support from Kent Pastrana and Eka Soriano.
“We need to correct our mistakes, that’s part of the game plan,” said UST head coach Ged Austria. “I already told the players what else is wrong and what needs to be improved.”
On the other side, Fil-Am guard Alexis Pana is set to anchor Pilipinas Aguilas’ championship push. She finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists, four steals, and a block in Game 2.
“I just want to play our game and just focus on the things that we need to correct and all that stuff,” said Pana.
She will be backed by teammates Mar Prado, Elaine Etang, and Chack Cabinbin as the Aguilas aim to close out the series.
