JACK Danielle Animam, the Philippines’ biggest women’s basketball star, had a smashing European debut, leading Radnicki to a narrow 78-77 win over Proleter 023 in First Women’s Basketball League of Serbia on Saturday night.

Animam proved that she belonged in Serbia’s top-tier league with a double-double performance of 20 points and 14 rebounds, to go with two steals, two blocks, and an assist.

Nursing foul trouble, the 6-foot-2 Malolos, Bulacan native, who went 8-of-11 from the field, still made the biggest play of the game.

Clinging to a 74-71 lead with 27 ticks left, Animam followed up Andrea Glomazic’s miss for a five-point buffer.

Tijana Cukic fired a triple afterward to keep Proleter alive before Glomazic calmly sank two free throws to give Radnicki a four-point advantage.

Cukic fired an inconsequential triple as time expired, as Animam finished her first professional game as a winner.

Milica Indic complemented Animam with 18 points, seven assists, and three steals, while Marijana Stojanovic added 11 points from off the bench.

Animam will face a major test as Radnicki will take on defending champ Crvena Zvezda on Saturday.

A five-time UAAP champion with National University and a Southeast Asian Games gold medalist for Gilas Women’s 5×5 and 3×3 squads, Animan signed as a import for Radnicki last month.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado