Red-hot Discovery-Rizal aims to ride its sizzling form to a fifth straight win and stake a claim for the top spot when action resumes on Wednesday in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League regular season presented by Akari at the Ynares Sports Arena.
Perlas have been firing on all cylinders since dropping their first two games of the tourney. They’ve cut down every opponent in their path with a balanced offensive attack and the steady poise of their veterans, which has quickly turned them into the hottest team in the league.
Fueling the fire that keeps Perlas steaming ahead are veterans Tantoy Ferrer, Raiza Palmera-Dy, and Allana Lim, whose leadership and composure have been instrumental in steadying the squad and carrying them through pressure-packed moments.
Yet even with their streak of victories, Discovery-Rizal head coach Derrick Pumaren refuses to be content. He’s demanding a sharper, more polished outing from Perlas if they are to truly measure up and pull level with New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas at the top of the standings.
“Instead of taking control of the ball game, stepping on the gas, hindi namin ginawa eh. We made them come back because of our mistakes. Ayun ang nangyari,” lamented Pumaren, pointing to their lapses in last Wednesday’s game against Tagaytay-Tol.
Discovery-Rizal (4-2), however, faces another test as they are set to collide with Pangasinan-Solar Home (3-3) at 8:00 PM — a squad eager to bounce back after absorbing back-to-back losses in the tourney backed by Uratex, Black Mamba, Red Dynasty, Aktive Balls, and Pocari Sweat.
Once jockeying for position near the top, the Suns slipped to the middle of the pack after losses to the Valkyries and the Patriots, setbacks that stalled their early momentum and left them scrambling to regain footing in the second round race.
Looking to spark their turnaround are Gabi Bade, Ara Abaca, and Hazelle Yam, a trio counted on to deliver the scoring punch and stability that Pangasinan-Solar Home badly needs to climb back up the rankings.
But before Discovery-Rizal and Pangasinan-Solar Home take the floor, New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas (4-2) and Tagaytay-Tol (2-5) clash in the opening game at 6:00 PM, with the Valkyries also eyeing a piece of the top spot.
Coming off a heartbreaking loss to San Juan-DN Steel, New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas aims to get back on the win column, while Pangasinan-Solar Home aims to do the same after losing to Discovery-Rizal last week.
The returning Afril Bernardino will team up with Snow Peñaranda to lead the charge for the Valkyries against Stefanie Berberabe and Monique Del Carmen of the Suns.
