Afril Bernardino delivered a monster performance to power New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas past Tagaytay-Tol, 75-66, for a crucial bounce-back win in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League regular season presented by Akari on Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Arena.
Bernardino erupted for 26 points and 21 rebounds — setting the single-game rebounding record in the league’s young history. She also added six assists, three steals, and three blocks, after sitting out the Valkyries’ heartbreaking loss to San Juan-DN Steel due to Gilas 3×3 duty.
“Siguro, I just did my best effort, 100-percent. Kasi alam ko nandiyan ‘yung mga teammates ko, ‘pag napagod ako nandiyan sila, sasaluhin nila ako. So best effort lang talaga,” said the WMPBL Invitational MVP, who hauled down 12 offensive boards in the match.
(C) WMPBL
The win enabled New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas to forge a tie with San Juan-DN Steel for the top spot of the tournament supported by Uratex, Black Mamba, Red Dynasty, Aktive Balls, and Pocari Sweat, as both squads now hold identical 5-2 records.
The Valkyries seemed on their way to locking the victory, but the Patriots — led by Stefanie Berberabe — unleashed a blistering 9-0 run. They cut a 13-point deficit to just four points, 69-65, entering the last three minutes.
Alyssa Villamor and Berberabe exchanged free throws in the closing minutes before Bernardino stepped up, sinking three of her four attempts from the stripe on separate trips to finally seal the win.
“We weathered ‘yung storm. Tagaytay just keeps on coming back, so we just stay in control whenever they’re making a run. Hopefully it’s a good learning experience for us,” said New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas head coach Cholo Villanueva.
Pringle Fabruada tallied a double-double of 13 points and 14 rebounds for the Valkyries, while Rizza Mae Lozada added 10 points and four rebounds.
Snow Peñaranda, meanwhile, scored eight points and registered 14 rebounds as well as New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas completely dominated the battle of the boards with a 70-37 advantage.
The Valkyries look to sustain their momentum when they face off against RK Hoops-Quezon City on September 21, 6:00 PM at the Ynares Center Montalban.
(C) WMPBL
On the other hand, Tagaytay-Tol suffered its second straight defeat to drop to 2-6, remaining in fifth place.
Monique Del Carmen paced the Patriots with 21 points, six rebounds, three assists, and four steals. Berberabe had 20 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and five steals.
Tagaytay-Tol aims to bounce back against RK Hoops-Quezon City on September 17, 8:00 PM at the Montano Hall in Cavite City.
The Scores
New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas 75 – Bernardino 26, Fabruada 13, Lozada 10, Peñaranda 8, Calang 5, Tongco 4, Villamor 4, Claro 3, Castillo 2, Bariquit 0, Manzanares 0, Aquino 0, Sanchez 0
Tagaytay-Tol 66 – Del Carmen 21, Berberabe 20, Natural 11, Pacia 5, Santos 3, Domingo 3, Quingco 2, Paraiso 1, Harada 0, Gonato 0, Cantimbuhan 0, San Juan 0
Quarterscores: 18-19, 35-31, 56-49, 75-66
