Starks dethrone Predators, capture Women’s Division championship

Team Starks got away with a narrow victory against Team Predators, 40 to 39 in the APCRAA Basketball Tournament Season Six Women’s Division best-of-five series on Saturday, August 27 at the APC Gymnasium.

The win automatically gives the Starks their first women’s division crown, dethroning the defending champions as they lead the best of five series, three games to one.

Chanty Saldivar got the go-ahead basket with 9 seconds remaining in the game. In the ensuing play, the Predators had a chance to win or send the game to overtime when Mich Baylon got fouled by Lucille Villamor with only three-tenths of a second remaining. Baylon missed both free throws, got the offensive rebound and heaved a desperate shot that went in.

Upon reviewing the official video, the shot was released after the buzzer sounded, therefore the basket is nullified, giving the Starks a one point victory.

Ievy Sevilla became the plus factor in the Starks victory, scoring 11 points with 6 rebounds and one steal. CJ Bendulo contributed 7 points with 11 rebounds, 2 assists and 5 steals.

For the Predators, Michelle Alison topped all scorers with 15 points with 21 rebounds and 5 steals. Mich Baylon contributed 8 points with 18 rebounds.

The fifth game of the women’s division series will still be played on September 24 at 2:00pm. The ABT Annual Awards for the women’s division and the awarding ceremonies for the champion team will follow afterwards.

THE SCORES:

STARKS (40): Sevilla 11, Saldivar 11, Bendulo 7, Famillaran 5, Bacordo 4, Rosaria 2, Villamor 0, Gensaya 0

PREDATORS (39): Alison 15, Baylon 8, Galvez 7, Turo 6, Chua 3, Gonzales 0, Formento 0, Alba 0, Tayan 0, Mabborang 0

QUARTERSCORES: 4-8, 14-20, 25-27, 40-39

FIBA LIVESTATS: https://fibalivestats.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/u/APC/2116354