Galeries Tower grabbed the second seed in Pool B after overpowering Cavite-TOL, 77-48, to finish the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) Invitational Tournament elimination round, Wednesday at the New Era Gym.
With the victory, the Skyrisers wrapped up the eliminations with a 6-1 record, tying University of Santo Tomas and Philippine Navy in the tournament supported by Manny Pacquiao, Senator Francis Tolentino, and the MPBL Partylist.
The top-seeded Growling Tigresses and second-ranked Galeries clinched a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals due to their superior point differential, while the Lady Sailors settled for the third seed.
After a quiet first half, Cindy Resultay erupted for 18 of her 20 points in the second half, fueling the Skyrisers’ second-half surge that put away the Lady Patriots for good. She also contributed two rebounds and two steals in the crucial victory.
“Meron kaming teamwork, and then kung sino ‘yung mas libre, doon talaga namin binibigay ‘yung opportunity na tumira ng bola,” said Resultay after the win.
Holding a just a seven-point 36-29 lead after two quarters, Galeries turned it up a notch and outscored Cavite, 41-19, in the second half and even limited the latter to just seven points in the decider to secure the win.
(C) WMPBL
Team captain Ambie Almazan recorded a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds to go along with three assists, two steals, and one block, while Pringle Fabruada chipped in 10 markers and six boards for the Skyrisers.
On the other hand, despite the loss, the Lady Patriots still managed to snag the fourth seed in Pool A with a 2-5 record–good for the fourth seed.
Jordan Hawkins was the lone bright spot for Cavite with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Erika Jimenez had nine markers.
(C) WMPBL
Meanwhile, also-ran EZ Jersey Relentless closed its campaign on a high note in the tournament, which is also backed 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.
EZ Jersey saved its best for last, holding off Solar Home, 77-66, to snap a six-game losing streak in its final game of the tournament.
The Relentless built a lead as large as 21 points to start the fourth quarter, courtesy of a Sofia Felisarta jumper that gave them a 67-46 advantage just two seconds into the period. The Suns managed to trim the deficit to 11, but EZ Jersey held firm to secure the win.
Janeth Sison poured a team-high 20 points to go along with eight assists and five rebounds for the Relentless, who ended the Invitationals with a 1-6 record in Pool B, while Loraine Capilit added 17 points, four assists, and two rebounds.
Team captain Caryl Molina recorded 15 points, 18 boards, four assists, and two steals in the win, while Felisarta contributed 10 markers and eight rebounds.
On the other hand, Solar Home finished the tournament with a 1-6 record as well in Pool A.
Jecel Alba paced the Suns with 22 points and 15 rebounds to go along with seven assists in a losing effort.
Pat Pesquerra chipped in 15 points and six rebounds, while Pat Rodas chimed in 12 points, seven boards, four assists, and four steals.
The Scores:
First game
EZ Jersey 77 – Sison 20, Capilit 17, Molina 15, Felisarta 10, Schmidt 5, Gandalla 3, Domingo 3, Gayo 2, Canayong 1, Hortaleza 1, Andan 0
Solar Home 66 – Alba 22, Pesquera 15, Rodas 12, Medina 4, Cortizano 4, Batnag 4, Go 2, Tatel 2, Generoso 1, Ferrer 0, Moslares 0, Lirazan 0, Brenzuela 0
Quarterscores: 16-15, 45-29, 65-46, 77-66
Second game
Galeries Tower 77 – Resultay 20, Almazan 14, Fabruada 10, Vacalaeres 6, Abriam 5, Canuto 5, Paig 5, Sandel 4, Kone 3, Tecson 2, Buendia 2, Buscar 1, Lacayanga 0, Ramos 6, Bernardo 0
Cavite-TOL 48 – Hawkins 11, Jimenez 9, Lepardo 5, San Juan 4, Flores 4, Casinillo 4, Paraiso 2, Caringal 2, Del Prado 2, Natural 2, Pacia 2, Magalong 1, Reyes 0, Gonato 0, Delas Herras 0
Quarterscores: 21-11, 36-29, 56-41, 77-48
