Cavite cagebelles secure 7th straight Reg’ls championship after crunch time comeback versus Rizal
The sound of the final buzzer was followed by non-stop cheering from the crowd as the Cavite women’s basketball team notched their 7th straight championship victory over Rizal at the Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation (MSEUF) Gym, March 10. Last year’s Private Schools Athletic Association – Regionals ended in a similar fashion with the same team, adding another year to Cavite’s undisputed supremacy over Region IV-A.
Though they ultimately won the gold, it was by no means an easy win.
After an impressive 8-0 starting run from Cavite, Rizal caught up and switched the lead, with Cavite trailing 10-15 in the first quarter. Despite their best efforts, Cavite was unable to catch up, ending the first half 27-33, with a 6-point lead in favor of Rizal. The third canto turned out similar to the first two quarters, but little by little, Cavite inched closer, managing to shorten the lead to only 3 points as the score came down to 46-49 at the end of the quarter. With no shifts in momentum, the fourth quarter’s first score came from Rizal, extending the lead to 46-51.
And then, it happened—a single layup that sparked a game-changing run. The remaining minutes were the most crucial as Cavite managed to make the most of it. Patriot Mariel Campasa sunk two out of two free throws to tie the game at 51. The crowd went hysterical. University of Perpetual Help JONELTA (UPHSJ) – GMA’s AJ Villeza knocked the go-ahead basket, adding 4 points to stretch the lead even further. UPHSJ – GMA’s Chin Dorio and Patriot Campasa contributed another 2/2 free throw and layup, but it was Diane Reyes’ two three-pointers that sealed the deal, 68-62.
The buzzer sound and the deafening roar of the crowd celebrated Cavite’s comeback triumph. Cagebelles’ starting point guard Diane Reyes won MVP for her stellar performance, and Cavite’s 7th straight reign in women’s basketball remain steadfast.
