Snow Peñaranda delivered the finishing blow as Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire pulled away for a 75-64 victory over Biñan-Tatak Gel to move within one win of the 2026 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Finals on Sunday night at the Parañaque Coliseum.
Peñaranda scored seven of the Valkyries’ final 12 points to finish with 22 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks, helping the defending champions fend off the Angels and take Game 1 of their best-of-three semifinal series.
Trailing 63-64 with exactly four minutes remaining, Peñaranda converted a layup to put Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire back on top. That sparked a decisive 12-0 closing run that left Biñan-Tatak Gel scoreless for the rest of the game.
(C) WMPBL
“It’s a tougher road for us getting a second championship, we know that,” said Valkyries head coach Cholo Villanueva. “Especially now that teams have been more equipped this season.
“We really know na we need to put in more work for us to gain another championship. We know it’s gonna be a tougher road ahead, and it showed tonight,” the La Salle legend added.
Reigning MVP Afril Bernardino backed Peñaranda with a near triple-double of 20 points, 19 rebounds, and eight assists. She also had two steals and two blocks, for Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire.
Pringle Fabruada contributed 10 points and seven rebounds, while Andrea Tongco also scored 10 points and handed out four assists.
The Valkyries will look to secure a second straight Finals berth and keep their title defense alive when they face the Angels in Game 2 on July 11 at 4:00 PM in the tournament backed by Aktive.
(C) WMPBL
Biñan-Tatak Gel, on the other hand, went cold at the worst possible time. The team missed all five of its field-goal attempts while committing two turnovers in the final four minutes of the series opener.
Monique Del Carmen led the Angels with 18 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
Ara Abaca posted 12 points, nine rebounds, and five assists despite committing seven turnovers. Eka Soriano added 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists off the bench.
The Angels also sorely missed the production of Chack Cabinbin, who was held scoreless in nearly 19 minutes of action.
The Scores
Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire 75 – Peñaranda 22, Bernardino 20, Fabruada 10, Tongco 10, Lozada 4, Dionisio 4, Castillo 2, Talas 2, Manzanares 1, Claro 0, Aquino 0, Torres 0, Bariquit 0
Biñan-Tatak Gel 64 – Del Carmen 18, Abaca 12, Soriano 12, San Juan 9, Quingco 7, Faraon 2, Domingo 2, Pacia 2, Cabinbin 0, Paraiso 0
Quarterscores: 26-22, 42-34, 55-50, 75-64
