Afril Bernardino and Andrea Tongco delivered record-setting performances to power Philippine Navy into the quarterfinals, dominating Centro Escolar University, 93-52, in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitational Tournament on Wednesday at the Enderun Gym.
Bernardino made history with the league’s first-ever triple-double while also setting the highest single-game steals record. Meanwhile, Tongco sank the most three-pointers in a single match for the Lady Sailors, who finished Pool B with a 6-1 record.
Bernardino poured in 26 points on an impressive 11-of-12 shooting clip, along with 15 rebounds and 10 steals.
Tongco, on the other hand, torched the net with 10 three-pointers to finish with a game-high 30 points in the tournament backed by Manny Pacquiao, Senator Francis Tolentino, and the MPBL Partylist.
(C) WMPBL
“Ang sarap sa feeling na lahat ng teammates ko sumusuporta. (Salamat) sa lahat, especially sa mga coaches ko, kasi nagtiwala sila sa akin kahit hindi ako masyadong nakakapag-training,” said Tongco, who nailed her record-setting, one-legged three-pointer with 3.9 seconds left in the game.
“Wala namang nabago, sinusunod lang namin ‘yung pinapagawa ng coaches namin,” she added. Tongco also finished with eight assists, five rebounds, and two steals.
Navy’s dominant 33-point outburst in the second quarter, where they held CEU to just four points, proved pivotal in securing the commanding win and thwarting any potential comeback attempts by the Lady Scorpions in the remaining periods.
Gemma Miranda chipped in 12 points and nine rebounds in the Lady Sailors’ fourth consecutive win to end the eliminations. Janelle Mendoza added nine points, six assists, and three steals in the victory.
Meanwhile, the Lady Scorpions concluded their campaign in Pool A with a 1-6 record.
Krizzyann Bautista led CEU with 15 points, while Jhianne Ferolino and Dorie Montecalbo contributed 10 points apiece in the loss.
In other matches, New Zealand-Bluefire Valkyries boosted their quarterfinals bid, while PSP picked up its first win in the tournament, which is also supported by 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.
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New Zealand-Bluefire capped off its elimination round campaign with a dominant 107-41 win over Solar Home to improve to a 5-2 slate in Pool B.
Camille Claro led the Valkyries with 20 points, including five triples, while Trisha Mendoza added 19 points and eight rebounds.
Snow Peñaranda also posted a double-double with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and four steals, while Khate Castillo chipped in 10 points.
Solar Home absorbed its second consecutive defeat to fall to 1-5 in Pool A. Christine Cortizano paced the Suns with seven points.
(C) WMPBL
In the nightcap, PSP ended its five-game losing streak with a 79-67 victory over EZ Jersey in Pool A.
Sam Harada and Queenie Aquino both posted double-doubles for the Lady Gymers. Harada scored 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Aquino mirrored her teammate’s scoring output with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
The Relentless, meanwhile, dropped their sixth consecutive game, remaining winless in the tournament. Lorraine Capilit top-scored for EZ Jersey with 17 points, while Janeth Sison and Caryl Molina chipped in 14 and 10 points, respectively.
The Scores
First game
Philippine Navy 93 – Tongco 30, Bernardino 26, Miranda 12, Mendoza 9, Ong 5, Polindey 4, Antiquera 2, Cas 2, Mercado 2, Borja 1, Lomogda 0, Macasiray 0, Brillante 0
CEU 52 – Bautista 15, Ferolino 10, Montecalbo 10, Banih 6, Tapinit 5, Cadano 2, Defeles 2, Gumapo 2, Autida 0, Garcia 0, Mahusay 0, Duran 0
Quarterscores: 23-18, 52-22, 71-37, 93-52
Second game
New Zealand-Bluefire 107 – Claro 20, Mendoza 19, Peñaranda 13, Castillo 10, Villamor 9, Calang 8, Quingco 7, Torres 6, Sario 5, Binaohan 4, Ahmed 2, Santos 2, Sunga 2, Dela Paz 0, Camba 0
Solar Home 41 – Cortizano 7, Rodas 6, Pesquera 5, Tatel 4, Medina 4, Young 4, Moslares 3, Alba 2, Batnag 2, Lirazan 2, Brenzuela 2, Ferrer 0, Go 0, Pocallan 0
Quarterscores: 25-5, 50-21, 75-25, 107-41
Third game
PSP 79 – Harada 17, Aquino 17, Bartolo 11, Dionisio 6, Cancio 6, Quiapo 5, Larrosa 5, Ventura 3, Buendia 3, Terrinal 2, Tolentino 2, Geli 2, Dimaunahan 0, Antonio 0
EZ Jersey 67 – Capilit 17, Sison 14, Molina 10, Domingo 9, Gandalla 5, Canayong 4, Docallos 4, Felisarta 4, Gonzalo 0, Alcantara 0, Gayo 0, Schmidt 0, San Jose 0, Hortaleza 0
Quarterscores: 18-17, 37-42, 58-53, 79-67
