Romwel Anzures

University of Santo Tomas’ Rachelle Anne Ambos stepping up just in time in the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) Inviationals Finals Game 2 against Pilipinas Aguilas. Photo handout/WMPBL.

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1745152239172WMPBL 2025 UST vs. Aguilas- Rachelle Ambos-5086.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="University of Santo Tomas’ Rachelle Anne Ambos stepping up just in time in the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) Inviationals Finals Game 2 against Pilipinas Aguilas. Photo handout/WMPBL."/>University of Santo Tomas’ Rachelle Anne Ambos stepping up just in time in the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) Inviationals Finals Game 2 against Pilipinas Aguilas. Photo handout/WMPBL.MANILA (UPDATED) — University of Santo Tomas’ dream of ruling the inaugural Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) Inviational remained alive.</div>This, after the Growling Tigresses escaped Pilipinas Aguilas, 69-64, during their Finals Game 2 faceoff, Sunday evening at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.Rachel Anne Ambos led the España-based hoopers, putting up 13 points, six rebounds, an assist, and a steal to allow UST to force an all-or-nothing Game 3.“It was team effort po. Hindi po kami papayag na matatapos yung series na hanggang dito lang kami,” said Ambos, who was only previously averaging 3.9 markers, 2.9 boards, and 1.3 dimes before this game. “Yung approach po ng team, positivity lang, so ito po yung naging result.””Happy po ako sa naging result, pero kailangan ko po kasing mag step up ngayong needed talaga,” she added.The decider will be on Wednesday, April 23, at the same Manila-based venue.Only leading by 2, 45-43, with only two minutes left in the third canto, the Tigresses scored seven straight points for a 52-43 advantage, and this was after a Ken Pastrana and-one at the same frame’s 53.1 mark.UST then used this momentum heading into the last quarter, and they eventually led by 10, 63-53, after a basket in the middle by Gin Relliquette at the 5:05 mark off an assist by Ambos.The Aguilas later on cut their deficit to five, 67-62, after a late surge which was ended by a pair of free throw makes by Lexi Pana with still 45.7 ticks left in the contest, but that happened to be the nearest that they could get as the Tigresses were able to hold on to their lead until the buzzer sounded.Nigerian center Oma Onianwa put up a game-high 17 points to go along with eight rebounds, three blocks, and two steals for UST -- a bounce-back performance after being limited to six points in their 95-86 defeat in double-overtime in Game 1.Karylle Sierba chipped in 12 markers for the Growling Tigresses, while CJ Maglupay flirted with a double-double with eight points and 12 rebounds as they worked their way back from an 11-point deficit in the first half.UST got the job done even with Pastrana scoring only eight points and Eka Soriano managing just one marker.On the other hand, Alexis Pana, Elaine Etang, and Mar Prado delivered their usual numbers but failed to get ample support as they suffered their first loss to the Growling Tigresses in the tournament.Pana stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, eight boards, five assists, four steals, and a block for the Aguilas, while Etang and Prado contributed 14 and 12 markers, respectively.<div> </div><div>The Scores:</div>UST 69 - Onianwa 17, Ambos 13, Sierba 12, Maglupay 8, Pastrana 8, Pescador 4, Reliquette 4, Danganan 2, Soriano 1, Bron 0, Tacatac 0.Pilipinas Aguilas 64 - Pana 17, Etang 14, Prado 12, Apag 8, Cabinbin 5, Adesguna 2, Guytingco 2, Omopia 2, Ramos 0.Quarterscores: 18-15, 35-26, 54-46, 69-64

University of Santo Tomas’ dream of ruling the inaugural Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League remained alive.

University of Santo Tomas’ dream of ruling the inaugural Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League remained alive.

Ambos leads the way as UST forces decider vs. Aguilas for inaugural WMPB crown

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Ambos leads the way as UST forces decider vs. Aguilas for inaugural WMPB crown

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 20, 2025 08:37 PM PHT

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Updated April 20, 2025 11:43 PM PHT

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