Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire edged Biñan-Tatak Gel, 92-86, to finally earn payback in the 2026 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League on Sunday at the Alonte Sports Arena.
Afril Bernardino and Khate Castillo powered the Valkyries to their fourth consecutive win, propelling them to solo first place with a league-best 6-1 record.
Bernardino erupted for 28 points on 12-of-18 shooting to go along with 18 rebounds for a dominant double-double, while Castillo added 25 points on an efficient 10-of-14 clip and five assists as Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire avenged its 79-83 loss to the same squad last April 16 in the first round of the tournament backed by Aktive.
(C) WMPBL
The reigning WMPBL MVP spearheaded a decisive 13-0 run that turned a tense 75-all deadlock into an 88-75 cushion with 2:52 remaining, a late surge that proved too much for the Angels to overcome.
“We wanted to get back at Biñan because we lost to them in the first round,” said Valkyries head coach Cholo Villanueva. “So we prepared for this game because we know they came from a loss din.”
Andrea Tongco contributed 13 points and eight assists, while Snow Peñaranda added seven points and eight rebounds for Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire.
(C) WMPBL
Meanwhile, Biñan-Tatak Gel absorbed its second loss of the tournament to fall to 4-2 in the standings.
Chack Cabinbin flirted with a triple-double after finishing with 21 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds in a losing effort, while Monique Del Carmen added 20 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
Luisa San Juan, who hit the game-winner in their first-round win over the Valkyries, finished with 16 points and nine rebounds.
The Scores:
Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire 92 – Bernardino 28, Castillo 25, Tongco 13, Peñaranda 7, Lozada 7, Calang 5, Talas 3, Claro 2, Aquino 2, Dionisio 0, Bariquit 0
Biñan-Tatak Gel 86 – Cabinbin 21, Del Carmen 20, San Juan 16, Domingo 9, Faraon 6, Pacia 6, Paraiso 4, Abaca 3, Quingco 1, Santos 0
Quarterscores: 26-21, 48-40, 75-68, 92-86
