ROSARIO, BATANGAS – For the first time in her storied basketball career, Janine Pontejos played in front of her fellow Batangueños as San Juan faced New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League on Sunday evening at the Rosario Cultural and Sports Center here.
But Pontejos — a Gilas Pilipinas Women mainstay born and raised in Lemery, Batangas — didn’t return to action merely for the opportunity to play at home. Her decision was rooted in something far more personal and emotional.
Just days before the game, Pontejos was in mourning. She missed San Juan’s previous victory over Tagaytay-Tol following the untimely passing of her sister, Daphne Joanne, nearly two weeks ago.
The 32-year-old sharpshooter had every reason to sit this one out. But with the belief that her sister was watching from above and the warm embrace of her home province behind her, Pontejos chose to play — and to honor her sister’s memory.
“Kakabalik ko nga lang, kaya siguro ginuide rin ako ng ate ko and ng home crowd dito sa Batangas. Kaya rin siguro nakatulong din ako kahit papaano sa mga teammates ko and hopefully sana magtuloy-tuloy,” Pontejos said following the Lady Knights’ hard-fought 74-71 win over the Valkyries.
Despite fouling out late in the game, Pontejos made her presence felt. She finished with 12 points, four rebounds, and a steal — a performance that resonated with the local crowd and gave San Juan its third straight victory in the six-team league.
(C) WMPBL
The win also handed New Zealand Blufire-Batangas their first loss, dropping the Valkyries to 3-1.
“Alam ko lagi ako sinasamahan ng ate ko. Nanonood ‘yan. Kung hindi siya nawala, alam ko manonood ‘yan dito sa Batangas ngayon. Kahit wala siya, naramdaman ko ‘yung spirit niya. Masakit man, pero alam ko palagi ‘yan nanonood sa’kin at iga-guide ako sa bawat laro,” shared the 5-foot-4 spitfire guard.
Pontejos’ tribute performance was only part of the story. When she fouled out in crunch time, the rest of the Lady Knights rose to the occasion — most notably former NU standout Maimai Canuto.
Canuto delivered in the clutch, tallying 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting while also collecting five steals, four rebounds, four assists, and a block in a complete performance that sealed the deal for San Juan.
Now at the halfway mark of the WMPBL’s first round, Pontejos remains confident that the Lady Knights can carry their chemistry and teamwork all the way to the league’s first-ever championship.
“Sobrang proud ako kay Mai. No doubt naman sa kanya kasi UAAP champion siya. Sanay na siya sa mga ganitong crucial games. Thankful ako kasi nandiyan siya na nakakatulong sa amin, especially kay Chack [Cabinbin] na point guard din,” Pontejos said.
“Proud din ako sa teammates ko na kahit grumaduate ako, nag-step up sila and ‘yon na rin yung pinag-trainingan namin eh, na dapat lahat kami mag-contribute. Gumana naman yung mga sacrifices namin,” she concluded.
