Adamson routs CSB, wrests Dickies-FCBL lead

MANILA, Philippines - Adamson routed College of St. Benilde, 69-55, to clinch the first twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals of the second Dickies-FCBL (Filipino-Chinese Basketball League) Women’s Cup at the Philippine Buddhacare Academy gym in Quezon City last Sunday.

Mary Penaranda hit 10 of her game-high 18 points in the fourth period to power the San Marcelino-based squad past the Lady Blazers in a duel of the leaders in the eight-team tournament presented by Dickies.

It was Adamson’s fourth straight victory in the tournament which serves as part of the Lady Falcons’ training for the coming UAAP season. 

Penaranda went on to clinch her third Dickies of the Game award, thus enhancing her bid for the coveted MVP trophy.

University of Santo Tomas and Lyceum, meanwhile, snapped their three-game losing skid with big wins over their fancied rivals in the tournament backed by Smart Telecom, Powerhouse, CW Home Depot, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum and Hapee Toothpaste.

Drawing a 23-point performance from Lore Rivera, the Tigresses outlasted the Centro Escolar University Lady Scorpions, 64-61, while the Lady Pirates downed the Lady Archers, 49-40.

Meantime, defending champion Far Eastern University rolled to its third straight victory by crushing Ateneo, 65-47, with Camille Sambeli firing 25 points.

The top four teams at the end of the classification phase will earn a twice-to-beat privilege over their rivals.