By John Baza

In another intense night of IIAAG high school girl’s basketball action, it was the St. Paul Warriors looking to defend their home court against the visiting Tiyan Lady Titans. The game proved to be a close one with the Warriors narrowly escaping the Lady Titans’ charge, taking the home win 25-21.

The opening minutes of the game were all Warriors as they were able to control the tempo of the game with their trap defense. Chloe Miranda scored the first two for the Warriors, followed by four from Hayley Senne and a shot from Joy ‘Nova’ Pangilinan.

St. Paul’s was able to convert their tenacious defense into offense, jumping to a 9-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Despite the relentless defense of the Warriors, the Titans were able to get some stops of their own with center Kiarra Reyes clogging up the key with her defensive presence. The Titans however, still had trouble finding a rhythm as the Warriors maintained a secure 13-5 lead heading into the half.

Titans surge

The second half was a different story for the Titans, as it seemed that they had found their offensive groove, using great ball movement to open up scoring opportunities and pester the Warriors on defense.

The Lady Titans used a 9-0 scoring run to propel themselves ahead and take their first lead of the game at 14-13 midway through the quarter. Contributing in the run was Tiyan’s Kayla Tellain and Tash Borja hitting perimeter jumpers, while teammates Kristin Unpingco and Rojas scored in the key.

The Warriors were able to close off the quarter as Senne ended the scoring draught with a runner to tie it up at 15-all, shortly before Pangilinan notched in a floater to secure the slim the lead.

Warriors prevail

Heading into the final quarter of play, once again, the Titans struck first blood off a layup from Borja to tie the game at 17. But the moment was short-lived as St. Paul picked up right where they left off on defense, using their full-court trap to force costly turnovers.

The Warriors used a six-point run off of shots from Senne and Shelby Respicio to gain the 23-17 lead. Tiyan’s 1 went 3 for 4 from the charity stripe to close the gap, but a layup in the closing seconds from Miranda secured the home team’s close victory.

“We really just psyched ourselves out and knew that we all had to come out stronger if we wanted to win this game” said player of the game Senne on her team’s effort tonight.

Wendy’s Player of the Game, Haley Senne of the St. Paul Lady Warriors. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Other Games 

Cougars 70, Geckos 32

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Kiarra Rojas quickly puts a shot up after receiving a pass for an easy two. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Jaeda James snatches a rebound away from Jaezelle Cardenas’s grasp. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Joylyn Pangilinan drives and scores a basket over the Titans. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Chloe Miranda forces a shot before being swarmed by the Titans’ defense. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Haley Senne preps to send a pass to an open Warrior on the side. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Jaezelle Cardenas of the Warriors and Titans’ Tash Borja race to grab hold of a loose ball. (photo by Daniel Paran)