Ever Bilena seals WPBL three-peat

Ever Bilena rallied mightily in the final half to beat Smart Buddy-University of the Philippines, 64-60, and end a decade-long wait for its third crown in the Women’s Philippine Basketball League at the Guadalupe Viejo Sports Complex in Makati last night.

The Gandang Pinay trailed majority of the way but came through with one big run in the fourth period to turn back the Lady Maroons and sweep their best-of-three series.

Ever Bilena battled from a 47-51 deficit as Ellaine Orillana, atoning for a mediocre performance in Game One, buried a triple to fuel a decisive 10-0 blitz that virtually took the fight out the Lady Maroons. The Gandang Pinay took the opener, 67-57.

“The tournament was a big success, I just hope other teams will join the next tournament,” said PBL chair Mikee Romero, the man behind the revival of the league.

The title was actually a grand slam of sort for Ever Bilena, which dominated the first two editions of the meet in 1998 and 1999.

“This is sweet, we waited for 10 years to achieve a grand slam,” said owner of Ever Bilena Dioceldo Sy.

Earlier, JP Alcaraz canned in three crucial free throws as Magnolia Purewater carved out a 71-67 victory over Burger King in the PBL PG Flex Linoleum Cup.

The Wizards squandered a nine-point lead in the third period but hung tough in the clutch with Alcaraz coming through with clutch charities to turn back the Stunners who played minus three key players.

The win was Magnolia’s seventh in nine games, moving to two victories away from clinching an outright semifinals berth.

Harbour Centre is a cinch for the first semis slot with a league-leading 8-1 record.

Neil Raneses led Magnolia with 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field while Alcaraz added 15 points, including five from the foul line. The former Letran Knight also had six rebounds and four assists in 29 minutes.

Eder Saldua also stepped up for Magnolia, tossing in 10 points while pulling down eight rebounds in 30 minutes of action.

“We thought we made less preparation against their big men,” said Wizards head coach Koy Banal. “But I was surprised that we managed to dominate them on the boards.”

The Wizards beat the Stunners off the offensive boards, 21-11, en route to a 44-39 rebounding edge.

The Wizards also played without Dylan Ababou, who like BK’s Ogie Menor, Mac Baracael and Marcy Arellano, is in China with the RP team for an invitational tournament.

Nestor David paced BK with 18 points and five rebounds while Christian Luanzon added 17 points, on 6-of-11 shooting, along with four rebounds and three blocks. Abby Santos tallied a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards but made five turnovers in the contest.

The Wizards posted their biggest lead at 45-36 with 4:47 left in the third off a putback by Johan Uichico. But the Stunners fought back behind Luanzon’s 10 points in the payoff period.

Luanzon, acquired by Burger King two weeks ago, buried two triples to tie the game at 63 then David hit two free throws as the Stunners grabbed a 65-63 lead.

But Al Magpayo countered with a jumper to knot the count anew before Alcaraz put Magnolia ahead for good with his foul shots at endgame.