Defending champion Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire and top-seeded Akari-Rizal are just one win away from advancing to the 2026 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Finals as they aim to complete semifinal sweeps in Game 2 on Wednesday at the Parañaque Coliseum.
The Valkyries defeated Biñan-Tatak Gel, 75-64, while the Sparks cruised past RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT, 84-50, in last Sunday’s series openers to move within a victory of setting up a Finals rematch.
Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire and Biñan-Tatak Gel will open the doubleheader at 4 p.m., followed by Akari-Rizal’s clash against RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT at 6 p.m. in the tournament backed by Aktive.
The Valkyries relied on a decisive 12-0 run over the final four minutes of Game 1 to pull away from the Angels, but head coach Cholo Villanueva knows another determined effort will be needed to close out the series.
“Our job’s not yet done. We need to put in the work. We need to close out this series come Game 2,” said Villanueva.
“We need to contain their shooters. Luisa San Juan played well. Of course, si Ara Abaca gave a classic performance. Parang it’s ano nga eh, a bittersweet feeling for me kasi those are my players from college, and I’m really proud of how they played,” he added.
Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire will once again look to Snow Peñaranda and reigning MVP Afril Bernardino to lead the charge after both stars delivered standout performances in the opener.
Peñaranda finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks, while Bernardino posted 20 points, 19 rebounds, and eight assists as the Valkyries moved a step closer to a second straight Finals appearance.
Biñan-Tatak Gel, meanwhile, will try to regroup after letting Game 1 slip away down the stretch.
The Angels were held scoreless over the final four minutes, missing all five of their field-goal attempts while committing two turnovers. They will also need a bounce-back performance from Chack Cabinbin, who was held scoreless in the series opener.
(C) WMPBL
Akari-Rizal, meanwhile, turned in one of its most dominant performances of the season, overwhelming RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT from the opening quarter behind a balanced offensive attack.
Janine Pontejos, who scored 24 points on six three-pointers in Game 1, is expected to lead the Sparks once again alongside Mar Prado, Raiza Palmera-Dy, and Allana Lim as they seek to complete the sweep and return to the Finals.
Despite the lopsided loss, RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT found a bright spot in Tantoy Ferrer, who nearly recorded a triple-double with 21 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. She will once again be counted on to help keep her team’s season alive.
Facing elimination, Biñan-Tatak Gel and RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT must win Game 2 to force winner-take-all Game 3s and prevent another championship showdown between Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire and Akari-Rizal.
