Mar Prado made an immediate impact in her return, powering Akari to a dominant 78-60 victory over Pasig in the 2026 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League regular season on Sunday at the Alonte Sports Arena.
Prado had previously suited up for the Pilipinas Aguilas squad that ruled the WMPBL Invitational but skipped the inaugural pro season. She marked her comeback with a strong all-around performance of 20 points, six rebounds, and five steals for the debuting Sparks.
“Okay naman, masaya kasi nakabalik ako sa hobby ko — sa paglalaro ng basketball. Nagha-handball kasi ako, so nag-focus ako doon,” said Prado, who spent the past year focusing on her duties with the country’s national handball team.
(C) WMPBL Images
Akari set the tone early, with Prado scoring 10 points to spark an 18-10 start. The Sparks steadily pulled away in the middle quarters before stretching their biggest lead to 79-42 after a triple from Raiza Palmera-Dy with 5:57 left in the game.
With Prado, Palmera-Dy, and Allana Lim leading the charge, Akari controlled the paint and overwhelmed Queenpin inside, finishing with 50 points in the shaded area en route to a lopsided win.
“Well, there’s still a long way to go for us,” said Sparks head coach Derrick Pumaren. “We made mistakes, we still have not played to our full potential. But I think it’s a good start for us, definitely, but still a long way for us.”
Lim registered a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds, along with three assists. Meanwhile, Palmera-Dy and Angel Anies added 10 points apiece as Akari joined Biñan-Tatak Gel among the early winners in the tournament backed by Aktive.
(C) WMPBL Images
On the other hand, Queenpin — which missed the services of Stefanie Berberabe — struggled to find rhythm throughout the contest as it fell to a veteran-laden Sparks side.
Charm Natural led Queenpin with 12 points and six rebounds, while Hazelle Yam and Lee Sario chipped in 10 and nine points, respectively.
Gabi Bade was limited to six points but added seven rebounds and four assists.
The Scores:
Akari 78 – Prado 20, Lim 16, Anies 10, Palmera-Dy 10, Ventura 7, Abatayo 4, Sambile 3, Candelario 2, Galicia 2, Angeles 2, Salapong 2, Nagma 0, Villasin 0, Flor 0, Del Prado 0
Pasig-Queenpin 60 – Natural 12, Yam 11, Sario 10, Villanueva 8, Cancio 7, Bade 6, Mendaros 4, Parungao 2, Padilla 0, Araja 0, Ganade 0, Escotido 0, Balasta 0, Cac 0
Quarterscores: 18-10, 42-30, 60-42, 78-60
