Philippine Navy kept its title hopes alive, while University of Santo Tomas, Pilipinas Aguilas, and Discovery Perlas secured semifinal berths in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitational Tournament on Sunday at the New Era Gym.
Backed by Kalos PH and Go for Gold, Pool B third seed Navy staved off elimination after taking down second-ranked Galeries Tower, 56–43, in the league supported by Manny Pacquiao, Senator Francis Tolentino, and the MPBL Partylist.
Despite a sluggish fourth quarter where they managed only three points, the Lady Sailors held on just enough to force a do-or-die quarterfinal clash against the Skyrisers on Wednesday.
Afril Bernardino spearheaded Navy’s campaign with a monster all-around effort of 16 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, five steals, and three blocks. Andrea Tongco and Janelle Mendoza added 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Pringle Fabruada led Galeries with 14 points and four rebounds, while Ambie Almazan registered a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds along with four steals.
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Meanwhile, Pool B top seed UST kicked off the quadruple-header with a 63–54 win over fourth-seeded New Zealand-Bluefire to punch their ticket to the semifinals, thanks to a dominant outing from center Oma Onianwa.
The Nigerian big delivered six straight points during a pivotal 9–0 run that widened UST’s slim four-point cushion to a 13-point lead, 59–46, with under five minutes left—a dagger that deflated the Valkyries’ comeback hopes.
Kent Pastrana supported the effort with nine points, 11 rebounds, and three assists, while Agatha Bron chipped in seven points, two rebounds, three assists, and four steals.
“Of course happy na nanalo. It’s a good win pero I know there’s still a lot of things to improve so marami. Yes, happy na nanalo pero not satisfied yet kasi alam ko marami pang kailangang i-improve both on the technical side saka sa pagdating sa effort,” said Growling Tigresses head coach Ged Austria.
“Pero pagdating sa panalo, a win is a win. We want to advance kaagad which is nagawa naman namin. Everything else, maco-correct naman sa susunod,” he added.
Camille Claro paced New Zealand-Bluefire with 15 points and four assists, while Snow Peñaranda had 14 points and nine rebounds in a losing effort.
In Pool A, top seed Discovery Perlas and second seed Pilipinas Aguilas both booked their semifinal spots with dominant wins, setting up a blockbuster showdown in the next round in this tournament is backed by sponsors 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.
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The Pilipinas Aguilas flexed their depth with a balanced offensive attack, as all 14 players contributed to the scoreboard in a lopsided 78–49 victory over third-seeded Far Eastern University.
Cheska Apag finished with 10 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Kem Adeshina also tallied 10 markers and six boards for the Aguilas.
Yvette Villanueva led the Lady Tamaraws with 13 points and 10 rebounds. MJ Manguiat and Maxene Dela Torre each added 10 points.
(C) WMPBL Images
In the nightcap, Discovery Perlas routed Cavite-TOL, 93–58, to complete the semifinal cast in Pool B.
Five players scored in double figures for Discovery, with Raiza Palmera-Dy leading the charge with 14 points, four assists, and four steals.
Lovejoy Candelario added 13 points and eight rebounds, AJ Gloriani contributed 12 points, Angel Anies chipped in 11, and Allana Lim provided 10 to round out the scoring barrage.
For the Lady Patriots, Luisa San Juan poured in a game-high 21 points, including four triples, but her effort wasn’t enough as Cavite-TOL bowed out of contention.
The Scores
First game
UST 63 – Onianwa 21, Pastrana 9, Bron 7, Santos 6, Soriano 6, Pescador 5, Danganan 4, Relliquette 3, Maglupay 2, Sierba 0, Serrano 0, Ambos 0
New Zealand-Bluefire 54 – Claro 15, Peñaranda 14, Villamor 7, Castillo 6, Sario 4, Sunga 4, Tchuido 2, Torres 2, Calang 0, Mendoza 0, Binaohan 0
Quarterscores: 14-19, 27-33, 49-44, 63-54
Second game
Pilipinas Aguilas 78 – Apag 10, Adeshina 10, Prado 9, Etang 7, Limbago 7, Cabinbin 6, Cac 6, Pana 5, Ramos 4, Meniano 4, Padilla 3, Escotido 3, Omopia 2, Guytingco 2
FEU 49 – Villanueva 13, Manguiat 10, Dela Torre 10, Nagma 4, Salvani 3, Patio 3, Lopez 2, Pasilang 2, Pagteilan 2, Espanol 0, Ong 0
Quarterscores: 32-11, 52-26, 69-39, 78-49
Third game
Navy 56 – Bernardino 16, Tongco 13, Mendoza 10, Antiquera 6, Borja 4, Cas 3, Miranda 3, Ong 1, Seño 0, De Castro 0, Lomogda 0, Mateo 0, Mercado 0, Brillante 0
Galeries Tower 43 – Fabruada 14, Almazan 13, Resultay 9, Canuto 5, Ramos 2, Vacalaeres 0, Buendia 0, Sandel 0, Paig 0, Manzanares 0, Bernardo 0, Ronquillo 0, Kone 0
Quarterscores: 17-7, 37-26, 53-30, 56-43
Fourth game
Discovery 93 – Palmera-Dy 14, Candelario 13, Gloriani 12, Anies 11, Lim 10, Ferrer 9, Galicia 6, Sambile 5, Borja 5, Layug 4, Peñaflor 4
Cavite-TOL 58 – San Juan 21, Jimenez 10, Casinillo 5, Lepardo 5, Pacia 4, Magalong 3, Paraiso 2, Hawkins 2, Reyes 2, Gonato 2, Zschomack 2, Flores 0, Caringal 0, Del Prado 0, Natural 0
Quarterscores: 23-14, 48-23, 73-35, 93-58
