A Lady Viper shoots the ball over several Griffin defenders during the Women’s Basketball Championship game. Photo by Camaela Mijares

The BM Lady Vipers were crowned as this year’s Palarong Atenista Women’s Basketball Champion after winning against the Lady Griffins in yesterday’s nail-biting game held at the ADDU Annex Gym.

The Vipers were on fire during the first quarter, draining shot after shot as they completely dominated the Griffins, 16-4. The second quarter continued with the Vipers continuing their onslaught as they led by 12 points after the half 28-11.

During the third quarter, the crowd started to get raucous as the Griffins bounced back with sheer tenacity, holding the Vipers to only 6 points the entire quarter. The Griffins’ 15 points cut the lead to 8 after three quarters, with the score 34-26 going into the fourth.

For the final quarter, both teams experienced their fair share of frustration and anxiety as Alindao of the Vipers and Gonzaga of the Griffins received medical attention due to cramps. The Vipers closed the fourth with stifling defense, giving up only 6 points in the final quarter to win 42-32.
Jade Nulla of the Vipers gave a tremendous performance as she scored 15 points, including three 3 point shots, two rebounds, five assists, and three steals while Bernardino of the Griffins contributed 9 points, three rebounds, and a steal.

“The team played with a big heart and we kept on praying and we hoped that we’d win this game and now we won this championship. We offer all to God our teammates and the BM Division. We feel so blessed and grateful,” Nulla said.

“I am very thankful for the BM Community for accepting me, being a shiftee wasn’t hard for me because they are all so friendly and genuine. I want to thank my teammates for the friendship that was built during this school year’s Intrams, also to our coaches who sacrificed their time and efforts for us to reach this far, to the BM community who supported us along the way and who believed in our team that we will make it. To my teammates, all our sacrifices has paid off, we made it, I am proud of us, I know in my heart that we deserve it. Lastly, to God Almighty, thank you. This is all for you Lord,” Elica Dayanghirang, another Lady Viper, added.

Box scores

Vipers

Nulla – 15, Alindao – 8, Salcedo – 5, Huertas – 4, Madrazo – 2, Zamora – 2, Chavez – 2, Dayanghirang – 1, Te – 1, Cardona – 0, Villamin – 0, Gonzales – 0

Griffins

Bernardino – 9, Gonzaga – 7, Alviola – 4, Gamorot – 2, Huerbana – 2, Malinao – 0, Dela Cruz, B. – 2, Teodoro -0, Capun – 0, Dela Cruz, C.- 0, Gojore – 0, Claros – 0, Plaza – 0, Madoginog – 0, Viloria – 0