SAN ANTONIO, TX / St. Philip's Gymnasium
In what was one of the most exciting games of the season, Alyssa Garcia delivered a historic triple-double performance, leading the Palo Alto College Women's Basketball Team to a hard-fought victory over fellow sister school St. Philips College. Garcia's impressive stat line — 20 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 blocks — carried the Palominos to a 51-43 win, giving the team hope to get to the 6th seed, qualifying them for the TCAC Final Four Tournament in April.
The game was a nail-biter from start to finish, with SPC pushing PAC to the brink, but Garcia's clutch performance in the second half proved to be the difference-maker. The game remained tightly contested throughout, with neither team able to gain a substantial lead. However, as the fourth quarter ticked down, Garcia's leadership on both ends of the court shone through. With each block, rebound, and crucial bucket, she kept her team in the game and refused to let SPC steal the momentum.
"Honestly, I just wanted to do whatever it took to help my team win," Garcia said after the game. "It was a grind out there, especially with no bench. I knew we had to give it everything we had, and I just tried to do my part to keep us going."
With the team operating with only five players in the scorebook — a challenging situation for any squad — the Palominos were forced to dig deep, and fatigue certainly set in as the game wore on. But the Palominos refused to back down. Garcia, along with her teammates, played through exhaustion, refusing to let the lack of substitutes affect their energy or drive. The chemistry and determination they displayed were evident as they pulled away late in the fourth quarter, eventually securing a hard-earned 51-43 victory.
Palo Alto head coach Fabian Villarreal was full of praise for his team's resilience and for Garcia's standout performance.
"Alyssa was huge tonight. She showed why she's one of the stronger players in the conference," said Villarreal. "But this was a true team effort. We don't have a bench right now, and for us to keep fighting and pull away like we did in the fourth quarter is a testament to the heart and grit of this team. We've been pushing each other, and the players have been working so hard to get to this point. I'm excited for what's ahead."
With the win, Palo Alto currently sits tied for 6th, positioning them to finish the season strong with some wins and hopefully salitifying their 6th seed spot in the upcoming Final Four Tournament. With momentum on their side, the Palominos are gearing up to face even tougher competition, but Garcia's performance and the team grit gives them hope and confidence as they look ahead to the postseason.
"We're in a great spot right now, and we're playing our best basketball of the season," Garcia said. "We know the road ahead will be tough, but we're ready to compete. Our goal is to make some noise in the Final Four, and with the way we're playing right now, I think we can do it."
As the postseason approaches, all eyes will be on the PAC Women's Basketball Team. With Alyssa Garcia leading the charge and a roster full of players determined to prove themselves, this team is ready to make a statement in the Final Four. The road to the championship may be challenging, but after tonight's inspiring victory, no one is counting the Palominos out.
