UST rules Adidas Streetball

Northern Luzon eliminations champ University of Sto. Tomas (UST), starring pint-sized point guard Irene Cahilig, whipped NCR victor Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), 17-14, to grab the women’s crown during the National Finals of the Adidas Streetball Challenge 2002 staged recently at SM City-Cebu.

The 5-foot flat Cahilig, who earned the monicker "Little Iverson"in the tournament, overcame her height deficit and exploded for nine big points to power the Golden Tigresses to the title.

UST jumped the gun early and never looked back, leaning on the excellent penetrations of Cahilig and the post-up plays of Nerissa Noscal. The PUP Marooners-Stars, behind high-scoring center Genebeth Ramos, tried to come back but eventually lost steam in the closing stages of the game to hand the championship to UST.

Cahilig, who ran rings around the defense of PUP, was later voted Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the distaff competition.

Supporting Cahilig apart from Noscal in the UST title-winning team were Juvy Salazar and Aileen Arcigal, with coach Peque Tan at the helm.

Team members of runner-up PUP were Ramos, Rochelle Gabest, Gladys Aboyme and Michelle Pacheco, with coach Emily Valenzuela.

With their victory, the UST Golden Tigresses, together with Seniors champion the University of Visayas Green Lancers, are on their way to Shanghai, China to wear the country’s tri-colors in the Adidas Asian Streetball Finals 2002, sceduled Aug. 29-Sept. 1. Special guests to the event are NBA young stars and Adidas athletes Antawn Jamison of the Golden State Warriors and Mike Miller of the Orlando Magic.

Presenting the trophies, medals and prizes during the awarding ceremonies were top officials of Adidas Philippines — John Alonte, president and managing director, Angelica Suiza, marketing director, Goody Custodio, sports marketing manager, and Odette Velarde, assistant marketing services manager. Also present at the event was Purefoods star and Adidas endorser Rey Evangelista.

The Adidas Streetball Challenge 2002 was also presented by Growee and WG&A Zip in cooperation with Gatorade, Absolute pure distilled drinking water, Zed, Taylormade Golf, Salomon, Magic 89.9 DWTM and 99.5 RT.