Still carrying the pain of last year’s Finals defeat to Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire, Camille Sambile vowed to leave everything on the floor in the 2026 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League championship series.
She did exactly that—and more.
Sambile emerged as the difference-maker for the Akari-Rizal Sparks, powering her team to a hard-fought 92-88 overtime victory over Batangas-New Zealand in Game 1 on Wednesday at Hoops Haven in Pasay City. The win moved the Sparks within one victory of finally capturing the title.
A member of the then-Discovery-Rizal squad that fell short in last year’s Finals, Sambile delivered a season-high 19 points on an efficient 7-of-12 shooting, while also grabbing seven rebounds and collecting two steals.
Her impact extended far beyond the box score. In her 22 minutes and 51 seconds on the floor, the Sparks outscored the Lady Valkyries by 15 points.
“Actually, in today’s game talagang nag mindset ako kasi syempre, hindi naman namin first time pumasok sa Finals pero nung last year, nashort kami,” said the 5-foot-10 Far Eastern University product.
“Ngayon, nag-mindset ako na ibibigay ko kung ano yung laro na meron ako before kasi yung mga past games namin, hindi ako masyadong humihingi ng bola and ayun, nagagalit si coach sa akin na ititira ko na lang, ipapasa ko pa kaya nag-mindset talaga ako ngayong Game 1.”
Sambile not only produced her best offensive game of the season, but also came through in the biggest moments.
With Akari-Rizal trailing late in regulation, she attacked the basket and converted a game-tying layup with 20 seconds remaining to knot the score at 79. Batangas-New Zealand failed to score on its final possession, sending the contest into overtime.
She continued to deliver in the extra period, knocking down a short jumper that gave the Sparks an 87-84 lead with 1:46 remaining. Then, with 14.1 seconds left, Sambile calmly sank two free throws to seal the victory.
The comeback was especially significant after Akari-Rizal nearly let the game slip away, squandering a 21-point lead in the third quarter before regrouping in overtime.
An enlisted Army personnel, Sambile provided an unexpected offensive spark, while the Sparks also received balanced contributions from their veteran core.
Raiza Palmera-Dy finished with 20 points, while Allana Lim added 17 points and nine rebounds. Mar Prado chipped in 14 points and five rebounds, while Shemaiah Abatayo posted 12 points, nine assists, and four rebounds.
“Sa team naman namin, hindi naman namin iniisip kung sino ang magko-contribute. Sinasabi ko nga lagi sa kanila na magtulungan lang kami lagi inside and outside the court. Yun lang yung ginawa namin at sinuportahan namin yung bawat isa sa bawat laro,” said the 34-year-old Sambile.
The Sparks now have a chance to finally erase the heartbreak of the 2025 season when they face the Lady Valkyries in Game 2 on Sunday at Paco Arena. Batangas-New Zealand, meanwhile, will be looking to force a winner-take-all Game 3.
For Sambile, the blueprint is simple: replicate the effort that carried Akari-Rizal to its dramatic Game 1 triumph.
“Kung ano yung ginawa namin ngayon na binigay talaga namin ang lahat, puso talaga ang laro, kahit nahabol hindi pa rin sumuko. Gawin lang namin ulit yun.”
