PHILIPPINE Navy fended off a late rally from the Pilipinas Aguilas to secure a 72-65 victory in the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) on Sunday at the Mandaluyong City College Science and Technology Gym.
Both teams, featuring top-tier talent, delivered an intense battle in the invitational tournament supported by Manny Pacquiao, Senator Francis Tolentino, and the MPBL Partylist. The game remained close until the final two minutes.
Kem Adeshima’s layup pulled the Aguilas within three, 65-68, but Navy, backed by Kalos PH and Go for Gold, tightened its defense. Andrea Tongco then sank a crucial floater with 32 seconds left, extending the Lady Sailors’ lead to five. Josephine Ong sealed the win with two free throws in the final 10 seconds.
“We really planned kung anong ibabato namin sa kanila, so thank God nag-materialize naman ‘yung defense namin,” said Navy head coach Ewon Arayi after the hard-fought victory.
“Sinabi ko sa kanila na kung hindi kami maglalaro ng magandang depensa, pantay lang ‘yung laban. Hindi natin alam kung sinong mananalo. Pero kung maglaro tayo ng magandang depensa, tayo ang magdidikta kung mananalo tayo o hindi,” she added.
Afril Bernardino led the charge with a game-high 24 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists as the Lady Sailors improved to 2-0. Gemma Miranda also recorded a double-double with 17 points, 16 rebounds, and four steals, while Ong contributed 14 points on an efficient 4-of-5 shooting, along with five assists.
On the other side, Elaine Etang paced the 1-1 Aguilas with 17 points, while Mar Prado finished with 13 points, six rebounds, and two steals. Adeshima chipped in seven points and 10 boards.
(C) WMPBL
Meanwhile, the San Juan Lady Knights improved to 2-0, and the Centro Escolar University (CEU) Lady Scorpions bounced back in this tournament also supported 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.
The Lady Knights pulled away late in a defensive battle against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws, securing a 44-37 victory.
Rhea Sanchez and LJ Miranda came up clutch, helping San Juan notch its second straight win.
Holding onto a slim one-point lead with three minutes left, Sanchez drilled a three-pointer to stretch the advantage to 41-37.
San Juan then locked in on defense, holding FEU scoreless for the remainder of the game before Miranda sealed the win with an and-one play in the final seconds.
Annick Edimo Tiky led the Lady Knights with a dominant double-double performance of 14 points and 18 rebounds. Miranda added nine points, while Sanchez contributed eight.
FEU, which dropped to 1-1, failed to produce a double-digit scorer, with Shane Salvani leading the team with nine points.
(C) WMPBL
In the opening game, the CEU Lady Scorpions escaped with a 68-65 win over EZ Jersey Relentless to pick up their first victory of the tournament.
Claire Tapinit led CEU with 14 points and five assists but struggled with seven turnovers. Diana Defeles added 12 points, while Moahna Cadano recorded a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds, helping CEU even its record at 1-1.
EZ Jersey Relentless, now 0-2, was led by Janeth Sison, who finished with 12 points and eight rebounds. Tin Capilit and Danica Docallos chipped in 10 points each.
The Scores:
First Game
CEU 68 – Tapinit 14, Defeles 12, Cadano 10, Banih 9, Ferolino 9, Gumapo 6, Montecalbo 4, Autida 2, Bautista 2, Garcia 0, Amalin 0, Mahusay 0, Duran 0
EZ Jersey 65 – Sison 12, Docallos 10, Capilit 10, Felisarta 8, Alcantara 8, Gandalla 5, Molina 5, Domingo 4, Canayong 2, Schmidt 1, Fugnit 0, Suansing 0, Gaayo 0, San Jose 0
Quarterscores: 15-13, 36-27, 51-41, 68-65
Second Game
Philippine Navy 72 – Bernardino 24, Miranda 17, Ong 14, Tongco 7, Mendoza 4, Antiquerra 3, Polindey 2, Mercado 1, Seño 0, Borja 0, Mateo 0
Pilipinas Aguilas 65 – Etang 17, Prado 13, Cabinbin 8, Pana 7, Adeshina 7, Cac 6, Omopia 4, Apag 2, Padilla 1, Guytingco 0
Quarterscores: 25-18, 45-34, 56-53, 72-65
Third Game
San Juan 44 – Edimo Tiky 14, Miranda 9, Sanchez 8, Angeles 7, Gonzales 2, Peñaroyo 2, Adlawan 2, Panti 0, Abaca 0, Salapong 0
FEU 37 – Salvani 9, Nagma 6, Espanol 6, Lopez 5, Manguiat 3, Villanueva 3, Ong 2, Dela Torre 2, Patio 1, Pasilang 0
Quarterscores: 10-6, 14-18, 25-24, 44-37
