Andrea Stevens fired 23 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter run as the Alabang-based cagebelles outscored the Roebucks, 16-7, en route to victory.
Stevens, a 15-year-old junior who comes from a family of basketball players, wowed the crowd headed by San Beda president Fr. Anwar Chopungco, OSB, with her combination of fast break moves, tough defense, dazzling assists and deadly outside shots.
In the second game, Miriam College opened its title-retention bid with a 29-18 victory over St. Scholastica’s College, while Centro Escolar University whipped University of Asia and the Pacific, 61-33, in a duel of new members.
Earlier, the tournament was ushered in by the traditional parade of participating teams – 16 overall – highlighted by colorful a production number from the host school’s high school cheerleaders and a light show performed by the 40 St. Louis Handcrafters, also from San Beda.
First-term Senator Pia Cayetano, a San Beda College-Alabang alumna, was the guest speaker, formally declaring the tournament dubbed the "Spirits Jibed @ 35" open.
Also gracing the inaugurals were WNCAA nationals president Vivian Manila, NCR president Angelica dela Cruz of SBCA and SBCA vice president Dean Thomas Geraldine Baricaua, director of administration Fr. Dom Vernard Bacarra, OSB and officials or representatives of other participating schools.
The Lionesses actually started out slow and were outgunned and outran by the Roebucks to trail at 4-11 late in the first quarter with the troika of Nicole Lao, Aivygale Amador and Jeanika Garcia doing the damage.
But SBC-A made its move in the second period as it engaged Angelicum in a neck-and-neck battle although they still fell behind after three quarters at 25-27 courtesy of a pair of foul shots by Suzaine Tesorero.
But it was to be the Roebucks last show of force as Stevens teamed up with Karla Peralta and Nina Constantino to carry the Lionesses past their rivals.
Hastening Angelicum’s downfall was Amador, who sprained her left ankle in a rebounding scuffle with less than four minutes remaining in the match.