Biñan-Tatak Gel will look to complete a perfect first-half sweep of the 2026 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League regular season on its home floor when it takes on Akari-Rizal at the Alonte Sports Arena on Sunday.
With the hometown crowd behind them and an unblemished record on the line, the Angels (4-0) are on the verge of completing a flawless first-round run in the preliminary phase — a start that has firmly placed them atop the standings.
But standing in their way is a Sparks squad determined to silence the home crowd and hand the league leaders their first defeat of the season, backed by Aktive.
The powerhouse clash between Biñan-Tatak Gel and Akari-Rizal headlines the Sunday double-header at 6:00 PM. Meanwhile, defending champion Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire opens the playdate against Pasig in the 4:00 PM curtain raiser.
Angels head coach Jack Azcueta is keen on keeping things steady, stressing that his squad must avoid unnecessary pressure and stick to the same preparation that carried them through their first four wins.
“So ayun, siyempre alam naman natin ‘yung Akari ay isa sa pinakamalakas na team sa WMPBL. Ganun pa rin kami, kung paano kami naghahanda sa mga nakakalaban namin, same pa rin,” Azcueta said.
Monique Del Carmen, Eka Soriano, and Chack Cabinbin are expected to once again set the tone for Biñan-Tatak Gel. The team looks to sustain their early-season rhythm and complete a first-round sweep.
(C) WMPBL
However, Akari-Rizal — led by Mar Prado, Raiza Palmera-Dy, and Jhenn Angeles — is out to play spoiler and snap the Angels’ unbeaten run. The team will rely on its veteran presence and grit in hopes of improving to 3-1 heading into the second round.
Opening the playdate is the clash between the Valkyries (3-1) and the Queenpin (1-3), with the former eyeing a third straight win to close out the opening round. On the other hand, the latter looks to snap a two-game skid and regain its footing before the next stretch of the regular season.
Reigning MVP Afril Bernardino spearheads Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire’s charge, anchoring both ends of the floor with her all-around brilliance. Meanwhile, Snow Penaranda and Khate Castillo provide crucial inside-and-outside support.
For Pasig, Gabi Bade — coming off a 25-point outing in their loss to Caloocan — will look to sustain her offensive rhythm and lead the response, with Lee Sario and LJ Miranda stepping up on both ends as they aim to bounce back strongly.
