Highly-touted Pilipinas Aguilas will make their debut in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) on Wednesday against New Zealand-Bluefire.
The Aguilas-Valkyries showdown will open the triple-header at the New Era Central Recreation and Fitness Center at 4:00 PM.
On paper, the Pilipinas Aguilas boast one of the deepest rosters in the 14-team league.
Anchored by the core of Adamson University, which finished third in the recently concluded UAAP Season 87 Women’s Basketball Tournament, the Aguilas have assembled a roster filled with stars.
The lineup includes standouts such as Chack Cabinbin, Jhazmin Joson, Monique Del Carmen, Trina Guytingco, Mar Prado, Tina Deacon, Mikka Cacho, Kath Araja, and Melody Cac.
Adding to their firepower is Alexis Pana, a 5-foot-9 Fil-Hawaiian forward who previously played in the EuroCup for CS Universitatea Cluj and Kibirkstis Vilnius.
(C) FIBA.basketball
Despite the high expectations surrounding the team, head coach Ryan Monteclaro remains focused on taking things one step at a time.
“We believe naman na when you see familiar names sa isang team, expectations will naturally be higher. For us, lahat naman ay actually rookies — first-timers getting this chance and opportunity on this new platform,” said Monteclaro, who will be assisted by Eric Altamirano and supported by analytics guru Paolo Layug as team manager.
“Our focus is to get better every day, and from there, we’ll take it step by step until we reach our goals.”
Monteclaro is hoping that Cheska Apag, Elaine Etang, Victoria Adeshina, and Cris Padilla will learn from their veteran teammates.
“Obviously, it’s a privilege for our Adamson student-athletes. We have vets here na more than just veterans — athletes who can lead by example, like Trina, Chack, Mar, and the others. That’s one part of this plan naman — for them to learn and take lessons we can apply come Season 88,” added Monteclaro, an Adamson lifer.
He went on, “Personally, as a coach, I am also learning from our team owner, Sir Luis Dela Paz, and all the coaching staff, including Coach Eric, Coach Paolo, and Coach Gerry from the Army. We are very grateful that our Athletic Director, Fr. Aldrin Suan, and President, Fr. Danny Pilario, are very supportive of this, along with our team managers from Adamson, Boss Gilbert Cruz and Boss Bong Nuño. We are excited and looking forward to the results of this experience.”
Meanwhile, the Valkyries are looking to go 2-0 in this league backed by Manny Pacquiao, Senator Francis Tolentino, and the MPBL Partylist.
New Zealand-Bluefire is coming off a gritty 54-51 win over Cavite-Tol on opening day, with La Salle standouts Snow Peñaranda and Khate Castillo leading the charge.
Also seeking their second victories in this tournament supported by 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 are the Galeries Tower and the University of Santo Tomas.
The Skyrisers will face the Solar Home Suns at 6:00 PM, while the UST Tigresses battle the PSP Lady Gymers in the nightcap.
The Suns and the Lady Gymers, both coming off opening-day losses, will look to bounce back and secure their first wins of the tournament.
