ALLANA Lim and Tantoy Ferrer combined forces as Discovery handed Philippine Navy its first loss, 80-71, in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) Invitational on Wednesday at the Enderun Colleges Gym in Taguig.
Lim and Ferrer delivered efficient performances to help Perlas improve to a 2-1 record in the league which is supported by Manny Pacquiao, Senator Francis Tolentino, and the MPBL Partylist.
The 36-year-old former national team forward Lim poured in 20 points on 9-of-14 shooting while also contributing eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Ferrer, a former UST standout, matched her output with 20 points on an 8-of-11 clip, adding nine rebounds and three assists.
The Lady Sailors trailed by 13 points in the final period but attempted a comeback behind Afril Bernardino, who drained a three-pointer to spark a 7-0 run, trimming Perlas’ lead to just six, 68-62, with 5:47 remaining.
However, Ferrer responded with a clutch triple to push the lead back to nine, 71-62. Lim then sealed Discovery’s second straight win by scoring the next three baskets.
Raiza Palmera-Dy, Angel Anies, and Camille Sambile contributed nine points each for Perlas.
Despite four players scoring in double figures, Navy dropped to 2-1. Gemma Miranda led the charge with 19 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Bernardino put up an all-around effort with 16 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and three blocks, while Janelle Mendoza added 13 points and eight boards. Andrea Tongco chipped in 12 points.
Meanwhile, Pilipinas Aguilas and New Zealand-Bluefire secured dominant victories in the tournament, which is also backed by sponsors Uratex, Discovery Suites, Red Dynasty, Gotobox, Gerry’s Grill, Prettiest, Team Graphitee, Evo Performance Helmets, Ryzen Helmets, Katinko, Dorayd, Sogo Hotel, Global Bosny Manufacturing, and Bavin.
(C) WMPBL
Following a narrow loss to Navy last Sunday, the Aguilas bounced back with a resounding 78-52 win over San Juan.
Elaine Etang led the charge, finishing with 21 points, six rebounds, and three assists as Pilipinas Aguilas improved to 2-1.
“I think the adjustments we made after the last game worked for us. That game was about improving our chemistry, and you can see that everybody contributed,” said Aguilas head coach Ryan Monteclaro.
Fil-Hawaiian forward Alexis Pana, who previously played for European clubs Kibirkstis Vilnius in Lithuania and CS Universitatea Cluj in Romania, recorded a stellar double-double with 19 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and four steals.
Melody Cac added 14 points on 50% shooting.
For San Juan, Rejoice Adlawan was the lone bright spot, finishing with 23 points and eight rebounds as the Lady Knights suffered their first loss after three games.
(C) WMPBL
New Zealand-Bluefire also bounced back from a previous defeat with a dominant 71-38 victory over PSP for its second straight win.
The win held special significance for the Valkyries as one of their key supporters, Andoy Reyes, celebrated his birthday on the same day.
“We came from a tough loss in our last game, but we were eager to bounce back—not just for ourselves, but for the people who support us. Our team owners, Sir Eric Ongkauko and Sir Andoy Reyes, who is also celebrating his birthday today, were our inspiration. They motivated us to return to our winning ways,” said head coach Villanueva, who also leads the De La Salle Lady Archers.
Khate Castillo led New Zealand-Bluefire with 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting.
Valkyries lead floor general Camille Claro missed the game as she’s out for a week or two due to a sprained knee.
Meanwhile, PSP suffered its third consecutive defeat, with Stifanny Larrosa leading the team with 10 points.
The Scores:
First Game
Pilipinas Aguilas 78 – Etang 21, Pana 19, Cac 14, Adeshina 5, Guytingco 5, Escotido 5, Ramos 4, Cabinbin 3, Limbago 2, Deacon 0.
San Juan 52 – Adlawan 23, Angeles 5, Edimo Tiky 4, Abaca 4, Sulit 3, Salapong 3, Gonzales 2, Miranda 2, Sanchez 2, Parungao 2, Ventura 2, Panti 0, Peñaroyo 0, Marcos 0
Quarterscores: 16-13, 41-22, 59-35, 78-52
Second Game
New Zealand-Bluefire 71 – Castillo 20, Calang 8, Binaohan 7, Peñaranda 6, Sario 6, Villamor 5, Torres 5, Arciga 4, Torres 4, Sunga 4, Quingco 2, Mendoza 0, Camba 0, Estandarte 0
PSP 38 – Larrosa 10, Buendia 7, Taguiam 5, Bartolo 5, Antonio 4, Geli 3, Dionisio 2, Cancio 2, Aquino 0, Quiapo 0, Dimaunahan 0, Ventura 0, Cayco 0, Tolentino 0
Quarterscores: 22-10, 49-25, 61-33, 71-38
Third Game
Discovery 80 – Lim 20, Ferrer 20, Sambile 9, Palmera-Dy 9, Anies 9, Borja 6, Candelario 4, Galicia 3, Villasin 0, Tolentino 0
Philippine Navy 71 – Miranda 19, Bernardino 16, Mendoza 13, Tongco 12, Borja 6, Mercado 3, Seño 2, Arayi 0, Solis 0, Antiquera 0
Quarterscores: 19-26, 43-37, 58-48, 80-71
