Biñan-Tatak Gel rode a dominant third-quarter surge to defeat RK Hoops Quezon City 10ACT, 89-67, and capture the bronze medal in the 2026 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League on Wednesday at Hoops Haven in Pasay.
The Angels trailed by five, 36-31, at halftime after Luisa San Juan knocked down a buzzer-beating three-pointer, which proved to be the spark they needed to fuel their second-half comeback.
Unheralded contributors Chicky Faraon, Angel Quingco, and Danica Pacia spearheaded Biñan-Tatak Gel’s explosive third quarter. The trio combined for 24 points in the team’s 38-point outburst while limiting RK Hoops Quezon City 10ACT to just 14 points.
The run turned a five-point deficit into a commanding 69-50 advantage entering the final period.
(C) WMPBL
Monique Del Carmen and San Juan also made key contributions during the game-changing quarter as the Angels secured a third-place finish in the league backed by Aktive.
“Ginusto talaga ng mga players kasi after nung heartbreak loss namin from the semifinals nung Game 2, ito na lang yung magiging consolation namin eh. Kaya ginusto talaga nilang kunin yung panalo na ito,” said Angels head coach Jack Azcueta.
“Sabi ko lang nung halftime, kapag nagpatuloy na ganito, baka even ‘yung third place hindi namin makuha eh. Naging natural na lang ‘yung pagbalik namin nung second half,” he shared on their fightback.
Quingco, who entered the game averaging just 3.4 points per contest, erupted for a game-high 16 points on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting, while adding six rebounds.
Del Carmen also posted a double-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and four steals. Faraon and San Juan chipped in 13 points apiece.
This year’s draft second overall pick Eka Soriano also made her presence felt with 10 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, while Pacia added 10 points of her own.
(C) WMPBL
For RK Hoops Quezon City 10ACT, Tantoy Ferrer led the way with 24 points, 18 rebounds, four steals, three assists, and a block. However, she struggled with her efficiency, shooting just 7-of-30 from the field.
Bianca Alcantara was the only other RK Hoops QC 10ACT player to score in double figures, finishing with 15 points.
The Scores:
Biñan-Tatak Gel 89 — Quingco 16, Del Carmen 16, Faraon 13, San Juan 13, Soriano 10, Pacia 10, Domingo 4, Santos 3, Abaca 2, Gonato 2, Cabinbin 0, Nabalan 0, Jimenez 0, Paraiso 0.
RK Hoops-QC 10ACT 67 — Ferrer 24, Alcantara 15, Isip 8, Antonio 6, Molina 4, Buendia 4, Dampios 3, Docallos 3, Panti 0, Dela Cruz 0, Young 0, Aragon 0.
Quarterscores: 16-19, 31-36, 69-50, 89-67.
