Despite Tagaytay-Tol’s early struggles, Monique Del Carmen never lost faith.
That belief paid off last Sunday night when the Patriots secured a spot in the semifinals of the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League following a gutsy 81-76 win over Pangasinan-Solar Home.
“Yes [I never doubted], kasi tiwala ako sa teammates ko. Tiwala ako sa coaches and everything. I would say kaya naman lahat eh, bilog ang bola. ‘Yun ang sinasabi ko sa kanila,” said Del Carmen after leading Tagaytay-Tol to the hard-fought quarterfinals victory.
Throughout their roller-coaster regular season, Del Carmen had been one of the team’s most consistent anchors. And she proved it once again by guiding a Patriots squad that struggled to find its offensive rhythm to a semifinals-clinching win over the Suns.
(C) WMPBL
The former UAAP Finals MVP was also crucial in answering Pangasinan-Solar Home’s late rally, ensuring the Patriots claimed their spot among the league’s top four.
Del Carmen finished with a team-high 18 points, six assists, and six rebounds, crediting Tagaytay-Tol’s composure for fending off the Suns’ late surge.
“I think ‘yung composure. ‘Yun ‘yung lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila. ‘Di sila pwedeng ma-ano sa emosyon nila. We tried to be composed every possession lang, we tried to tighten our defense. I think that’s our key, kaya nanalo kami this game,” the 27-year-old guard said.
“Siguro ‘yung bonding namin, as in sobrang buo kami. I can say we are a family, parang second family ko rin talaga sila,” added Del Carmen.
Now in the semifinals, Del Carmen is determined to show that their run is no fluke — that the Patriots deserve their place among the league’s best.
“Gusto namin ‘di lang semis ‘yung makuha naman. Pero siyempre focus muna semis, and the finals will be there.”
