Lady Macbeth wins historic 1st Women’s 3×3 International title; Dela Rosa named Most Valuable Player

KACEY Quinn Dela Rosa proved to be a lethal replacement player for Lady Macbeth Apparels.

A last-minute insertion after veteran Jack Animan opted to play in the pro league in France, the Ateneo freshman takes the lead as Lady Macbeth completed a dramatic comeback capped by a 21-11 domination over Army Altama to claim the championship in the 1^st Uratex Women’s 3×3 International Invitational on Sunday before a huge mallgoer at the Robinsons Magnolia in Quezon City.

The 18-year-old Development Studies freshman in Ateneo scored nine points capped by a free throw to lead Lady Macbeth to historic win in the 12-team, two-day tournament co-presented by Uratex and Smart.

“I just try to play good defense, just lucky to make those shots. But we done it through a well game-plan by coach Pat (Aquino) and sheer teamwork. It’s a big shoe to fill as Jack (Animan) is the best player for Lady Macbeth,” said Dela Rosa, who joined Army’s Natalia Pardo and Korean Dunarang Kim in the Mythical 3 and adjudged Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Veteran internationalist Janine Pontejos and Khate Castillo scored six points each, while Katrina Guytingco provided the defensive stance as Lady Macbeth turned a close three-point lead to 19-10 advantage before Dela Rosa’ capped the triumph on a free throw with still 29 seconds left in the 10 minutes play.

Private Nathalia Prado made seven markers, Marlourd Borja added two points, and Chack Cabinbin and Camille Sambile each tallied one for Army. They won US$2,000.

Indeed, it was a huge comeback for the Lady Macbeth as the team composed of members of the National Team that won back-to-back title in the Southeast Asian Game made it to the quarterfinals through back door.

“Hindi namin inakalang kami ang magiging champion dahil hindi naging maganda ang preparasyon sa elimination. But we made it through sheer determination of the players, I’m very happy for this,” said coach Pat Aquino.

Lady Macbeth dropped at the bottom of pool D (0-2) eliminations losing a closed 16-17 to Army and Zoos Tokyo, 15-16. In the pre-quarterfinal knockout game, the Nationals bamboozled Uratex Tibay, 21-14, to seal a cross-over quarterfinal date with Pool B top seed Shoot it Dragon of Thailand.

With Dela Rosa and Pontejos combining 12 points, the Lady Macbeth scored a 19-17 win against the Thais before beating Discovery Perlas in the semifinals, 21-18 to the delight of the crowd.

Lady Macbeth received a trophy and the champion prize of US$3,000.

The Korean squade 1Eyehansol denied the Philippines from sweeping the podium after beating Discovery Perlas, 21-12, for the bronze and US$1,000.

“We’re truly grateful and honor. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all players, coaches, officials, technical people, staff, and sponsors for supporting and help us in this endeavor. Mahirap,pero nagawan natin ng paraan. Hopefully, mas malaking tournament ang magawa natin sa susunod,” said Uratex Managing Director and head of the organizing committee Peachy Medina.