They started out with a slow start being behind on the first quarter, however the 1 – 2 punch of Kiruu Kuartei and Sweety Kalbesang proved to be effective once more for team Kryptonite, as they were able to provide big productions all throughout the rest of the quarters and eventually defeat their challenger to advance to the finals despite a stellar performance by national player, Jamie Ngirausui of the team Bring It On who scored 20 points. A product of Palau High School Spiders basketball team, Sweety Kalbesang scored 19 points while the veteran player, Kiruu Kuartei put up 16 markers for team Sam’s Kryptonite in a 57 – 53 win.
As for the other playoff game, Mayleen Olkeriil of Team Money was able to free herself for the winning basket to edge out their opponent, Team Spartans, to grab the last seat of the finals. In spite of spectacular performances from Lily Oilouch, Jesslyn De Leon, and Shirley Koshiba who scored 18, 10, and 21 respectively for the defending champs Spartans, it was clearly not enough to renew their trip to the finals this 2009 season. Sesengel Ketebengang and the ladies of team Money was able to hold off their opponent until the last seconds of the match to win, 54 – 52.With the results, Sam’s Kryptonite and Money will battle for the championship crown for this year’s WNBL while Bring It On is matched with Spartans for the consolation game that will be played today, 5th of June. The best of three Championship games of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) 2009 will be played starting with the first game June 8, Monday while the second game on the 10th of June, whereas the last game will be on Friday, June 12 if necessary.WNBL is supervised and operated by the Palau Basketball Federation.
