IN the battle for the third game, the Philippine Women’s University (PWU) clinched a hard-earned victory over the Red Lions with a final score of 57-52. The game was held last Nov. 10 at the Chiang Kai Shek College (CKSC), with both teams fiercely vying to enter the WNCAA championship round.

     PWU set the court ablaze with an early 3-0 lead, but this momentum was disrupted by personal fouls, granting the Red Lions chances for free throws that shifted the lead. By the end of the first quarter, the Red Lions rallied to a 10-6 advantage. However, PWU closed the gap in the second quarter, which tied the score to 20-20. The Red Lions regained control as they headed into halftime with a 31-23 lead.

     The tide turned in the third quarter when PWU launched their counterattack and clawed their way to a narrow 41-40 lead, capitalizing on free throws and a revitalized offense. This incited the Red Lions’ efforts to make a comeback and use multiple timeouts to adjust their approach for the game’s final moments.

     PWU maintained steady scoring, secured the win with critical free throws, and concluded the game at 57-52.  This consistency at the line in the final quarter ultimately cemented their victory.

     SBCA’s player 18, Bea Antonio (II-BSIE), acknowledged the need to reinforce defensive unity as she reflected on their defeat, “Kailangan all-out kahit pagod na, kailangan din mag-focus sa game. Kaya all-out dapat.” She emphasized areas for personal improvement, including free-throw shooting and dribbling accuracy.

     The Red Lions delivered a commendable performance in their final game, testing PWU’s resilience and establishing a promising tone for the rest of the WNCAA season.