A win away from clinching the top seed, Akari-Rizal looks to finish the job when it faces struggling Pasig in the final day of the 2026 Women’s Maharlika Basketball League regular season on Sunday at the Alonte Sports Arena.
The Sparks currently sit atop the standings with an 8-1 record, while Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire holds the No. 2 spot at 7-2. Both squads have already secured outright semifinal berths.
That puts Akari-Rizal within striking distance of the top seed, needing only a win over the Queenpin in their 6 p.m. clash to complete its climb in the tournament supported by Aktive.
However, a Sparks loss could open the door for the Valkyries to steal the No. 1 seed if they beat Caloocan in their 2 p.m. encounter. Tiebreak scenarios may also come into play between Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire and Akari-Rizal, which split their regular-season meetings by 16 points apiece.
Still, the defending champions hold the edge in tiebreaks, a factor that could prove decisive in the final seeding picture.
Riding a six-game winning streak and unbeaten in over a month, Akari-Rizal enters as the league’s hottest team. The Sparks also carry a mental edge over Pasig, having secured a commanding 78-60 win in their season opener last April 12.
Sparks head coach Derrick Pumaren is leaving no stone unturned against the Queenpin, fully aware of the depth and quality the opposition can bring.
“We’re still looking to build momentum heading into the semis. We’re going all out on Sunday against Pasig. Hopefully, we’ll be able to do that and get the win,” said Pumaren.
Akari-Rizal will lean heavily on Allana Lim, who is coming off a 29-point performance in a 74-58 win over the Valkyries last Wednesday. She will be backed by Raiza Palmera-Dy, Janine Pontejos, Mar Prado, and Camille Sambile.
On the other hand, Pasig aims to close its regular-season campaign on a positive note despite being locked in the bottom two, with Gabi Bade, Lee Sario, and LJ Miranda expected to lead the charge.
(C) WMPBL
In another crucial matchup affecting the playoff picture, Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire remains in contention for key positioning heading into the quarterfinals.
The defending champions look to strengthen their bid for the No. 1 seed with a win over Caloocan (1-8) in their 2 p.m. clash, while the struggling side also has a chance to climb to No. 5 and secure a more favorable quarterfinal seeding if results go their way.
RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT, currently at No. 4 with a 3-6 record, and Biñan-Tatak Gel, holding the No. 3 spot at 6-3, are both assured of twice-to-beat incentives in the quarterfinals but will still battle for momentum when they clash in the 4 p.m. encounter.
Expect a tense final day as the triple-header closes the regular season, with seeding battles, tiebreak scenarios, and playoff positioning all hanging in the balance.
