THE Dream Team’s hoopsters showcased their range in the Women’s Division finale of the Marianas International Basketball League 3×3 Basketball Tournament as they shot the lights out from beyond the three-point line to throttle the BB Girls, 21-8, on Sunday at the Marianas High School gym.
At first, the BB Girls played at their pace, looking for an opportunity to drive toward the hoop with each opening they created.
Jasmine Phan drew first blood with a reverse layup while Irish Pagarao followed up with a mid-range jumper. Phan then drained her second bucket to give the BB Girls the lead.
It did not take long before the Dream Team returned fire. Jan Travilla acted as the firestarter with a quick shot that was followed by a bucket from Alliyah Fernandez.
As soon as the two found their range, it was over. Fernandez ignited a run with a triple while contributing three more throughout the game. Travilla, for her part, delivered four more buckets from the extended distance to put the lead out of reach.
The BB Girls continued to fight back with Madi Alegre scoring underneath the rim and adding one from the three-point line. But with the rest of the team shut down due to the Dream Team defense, the BB Girls were practically firing blanks.
In the end, the Dream Team’s bombardment continued until it was all over. The Dream Team won 21-8.
The Dream Team roster consisted of Alliyah Fernandez, Jan Travilla, Antonette Labausa and Lia Rangamar who was injured early in the game.
“This victory is for Lia,” her team-mates said. “Without her defense, we would not have made it to the finals — she is our best defender.”
Regarding their game plan, Labausa said Fernandez and Travilla are clearly the league’s best 3-point shooters, “so the strategy was to give the ball to them every time.”
Travilla scored 11 points and was named the Most Valuable Player.
Fernandez, who notched nine points, said “there should be more of this (3×3) event. Basketball kind of died out during the pandemic so it was nice to have this again.”
Scores:
Dream Team 21 – Jan Travilla 11, Alliyah Fernandez 9, Antonette Labausa 1
BB Girls 8 – Madi Alegre 5, Jasmine Phan 2, Irish Pagarao 1
Dream Team’s Alliyah Fernandez frees herself for the open shot during the championship of the MIBL 3×3 Basketball Tournament Season 2 on Sunday at the MHS gym.
Jan Travilla poses with her MVP trophy.
