As the lights shone brightest, Snow Peñaranda rose to the occasion, delivering her best performance yet to lead New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas to a commanding Game 1 victory over Discovery-Rizal in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Finals.
Peñaranda carried the Valkyries late in the fourth quarter, helping them pull away for a 98-87 win against Perlas and inch closer to the historic first-ever professional championship in the WMPBL.
The 5-foot-7 bruiser erupted for a double-double, scoring 22 points on an efficient 10-of-14 shooting while hauling in 15 rebounds.
Her performance was fueled not just by the moment, but also by the motivation to repay the team management for their unwavering support. And of course, to give head coach Cholo Villanueva — who celebrates his 43rd birthday on November 24 — an early championship gift.
“Siguro ‘yung best motivation ko is ‘yung gusto ko lang talagang makuha ‘yung championship for the team, for the managers, especially sa managers kasi sobrang laking tiwala samin ng managers,” said Peñaranda.
“Grabe ‘yung pagmamahal nila sa’min sa team, kaya nabuo ‘tong team dahil sa managers and kay coach Cholo. Magbi-birthday na siya this November so gusto ko i-gift sa kanya ‘tong championship. So as much as possible, gusto na naming tapusin ‘to,” she added.
(C) WMPBL Images
Averaging 10.2 points per game heading into the matchup, Peñaranda put on her career-best performance. She shouldered the offensive load for the Valkyries, especially with star Afril Bernardino struggling from the field.
Peñaranda, however, didn’t dwell on Bernardino’s off night, noting that the team’s collective effort mattered most.
“Actually hindi ko na naiisip ‘yun eh. ‘Di ko na naiisip na nagsa-struggle si Afril. Nakikita ko kasi bumabawi siya sa ibang aspects all game,” the 33-year-old former DLSU Lady Archer said.
“Sa defense, grabe ‘yung defense niya, then rebounds so hindi na big deal samin na umi-score siya ng konti. Marami rin namang nag-step up, hindi lang ako. Sa points nag-struggle siya, pero sa defense.”
With Game 1 secured, Peñaranda emphasized that the Valkyries must double their effort in Game 2 and leave everything on the court to finish the job.
“Siguro masasabi ko mas doblehin pa ‘yung effort talaga na ibigay ‘yung lahat, lahat talaga. As in no tomorrow,” Peñaranda said.
“Buhos na lahat kung (kailangan) mag-dive sa bola, dive talaga hanggang makuha ‘yung bola as in makipagpatayan sa bola sa loob ng court. ‘Yun lang masasabi ko, double effort lang talaga.”
