Coming off its first loss at the hands of defending champion Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire, Akari-Rizal vented its frustrations on RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT, scoring an 84-51 bounce-back victory in the 2026 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League on Wednesday at the MRB Gymnasium.
The Sparks clamped down on defense, holding RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT to single-digit scoring in both the second and third quarters en route to a 33-point rout that improved their record to 3-1 and pulled them into a tie with the Valkyries for second place.
(C) WMPBL
“The most important thing na sinabi ko sa team is that it’s not about the loss, it’s about how we bounce back,” said Akari-Rizal head coach Derrick Pumaren. “So the team responded well, we were able to prepare well against RK. Our defense was able to hold.”
Jhenn Angeles delivered her best performance of the tournament with 24 points, five rebounds, five assists, and five steals, while Mar Prado added 20 points, seven rebounds, and five assists to power the Spark.
Raiza Palmera-Dy chipped in eight points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while LJ Candelario also had eight markers along with four rebounds. Allana Lim contributed six points, five rebounds, and three assists.
(C) WMPBL
Already holding a commanding 56-34 lead entering the fourth quarter, Akari-Rizal stepped on the gas as Prado and Candelario sparked an 18-0 run, holding RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT scoreless through the first four minutes and three seconds of the final period to stretch the lead to 74-34.
The Sparks went on to stretch their advantage to as many as 42 points after a Camille Sambile three-pointer made it 80-38 with 4:22 remaining.
RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT absorbed its third consecutive defeat and dropped to 1-4 in the standings.
Tantoy Ferrer, back after missing the team’s last two games due to Gilas Pilipinas duties, struggled against her former team, finishing with 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting, along with nine rebounds and four turnovers.
The Scores:
Akari-Rizal 84 – Angeles 24, Prado 20, Palmera-Dy 8, Candelario 8, Lim 6, Villasin 5, Sambile 5, Abatayo 4, Ventura 4, Nagma 0, Galicia 0
RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT 51 – Ferrer 10, Larosa 9, Buendia 6, Dampios 6, H. Panti 5, Molina 5, Antonio 4, Alcantara 2, F. Panti 2, Quiapo 2, Dela Cruz 0, Aragon 0, Docallos 0
Quarterscores: 15-19, 37-25, 56-34, 84-51
