The 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League regular season presented by Akari ushers in the second round of eliminations with a double-header tonight at the Batangas City Coliseum, headlined by the showdown between league-leading New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas and second-ranked San Juan-DN Steel.
Ahead of the pack with a league-best 4-1 slate, the Valkyries aim to keep their hold of No. 1 while also seeking payback for their opening-round loss against the Lady Knights (3-2) in the 8:00 PM nightcap.
San Juan-DN Steel, meanwhile, will try to halt its two-game skid and pull level with the league leaders.
New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas head coach Cholo Villanueva said that finishing the first round as the top seed is just the beginning. He stressed the need to stay consistent as the tougher second round unfolds.
“It’s just half of the season, there’s still a long way to go. It’s a good thing that we ended the first round at number one. Hopefully, we bring the momentum coming in the second round because it’s a much tougher road ahead,” said Villanueva following their 100-61 bounce-back win over Pangasinan-Solar Home.
The Valkyries will not have Afril Bernardino as she is with Gilas 3×3 in the FIBA Women’s Series in Sabail.
Pringle Fabruada and Alyssa Villamor are expected to lead the charge for the hosts.
On the other hand, the Lady Knights will rely on veterans Chack Cabinbin and Janine Pontejos to steer the team back on track after dropping consecutive games to close out the first round.
In the opening game, Tagaytay-Tol (1-4) looks to notch its second straight win, while Pangasinan-Solar Home (3-2) aims to bounce back from a 39-point blowout loss to New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas at 6:00 PM.
Stephanie Berberabe will lead the Patriots alongside Luisa San Juan and Monique del Carmen. She is coming off a triple-double performance against RK Hoops-Quezon City.
Meanwhile, the Suns will rely on Gabi Bade, Jhenn Angeles, and Lee Sario to turn things around.
