PRIZED ROOKIE. University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) player Kyle Mappala takes a shot against Philippine Women's University in the 54th Women's National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament at the Chiang Kai Shek College Narra Campus gymnasium, Tondo, Manila on Sunday (Oct. 1, 2023). Mappala scored 18 points as UA&P won, 61-47. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – University of Asia & the Pacific (UA&P) downed Philippine Women's University, 61-47, in the 54th Women's National Collegiate Athletic Association (WNCAA) basketball tournament at the Chiang Kai Shek College (CKSC) Narra Campus gymnasium in Manila on Sunday.
Sophomore Linda Nacional and rookie Kyle Mappala led the Dragons with 18 points each while Sofia Fuentes contributed 11 points.
Trailing at halftime, 26-29, UA&P rallied behind Nacional, Mappala and Fuentes to regain the upperhand and never looked back for its first win.
"It was a close game. I'm glad my players fought well, everyone contributed to this victory," said Christine Iriss Isip, a former University of the Philippines Lady Maroon, now on her fifth year as UA&P head coach.
"They were able to execute what we did during practice, and they also adjusted well to our opponents' game," added assistant coach Rica Young, who played in 2021 for the Quezon 3x3 team at the Women's National Basketball League.
Mappala, who hails from Barangay Sto. Niño in Marikina, was delighted to help the team.
"I always give my best in every game," said the 5-foot-6 forward-center who will turn 18 on Tuesday.
Mappala has competed in the Milo Women's Basketball League when she was in Grade 9 at St. Scholastica's College.
Isip and Young spotted her during the Marikina Women's Basketball League last year.
"We saw her skills and we knew right away that she would be an asset to the team," said Young, a University of Santo Tomas graduate. (PNA)
