Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

Basketball

Star-studded Pilipinas Aguilas eye strong start in WMPBL vs New Zealand-Bluefire


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.

Alexis-Pana Star-studded Pilipinas Aguilas eye strong start in WMPBL vs New Zealand-Bluefire Basketball News UST WMPBL  - philippine sports news

(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.

#ReadMore  UAAP Women's Basketball: Adamson downs Ateneo in stepladder warm-up

“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.

#ReadMore  More to come for hot-again UP Lady Maroons, says Ayel Estrañero

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.

Written By


You May Also Like

Basketball

They played for history. They played for redemption. But more than anything, the Junior Growling Tigresses played for their ates. For head coach Haydee...

Basketball

Luisa San Juan is turning the page on her UAAP journey, opting to forgo her remaining years of eligibility with De La Salle University...

Basketball

Galeries Tower grabbed the second seed in Pool B after overpowering Cavite-TOL, 77-48, to finish the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) Invitational...

Basketball

Young Rachel Lacayanga is eager to absorb every ounce of knowledge from her experienced teammates at Galeries Tower in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas...

Basketball

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas secured the second quarterfinals ticket in Pool B after overpowering Far Eastern University, 96-74, in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas...

Basketball

Not everyone can say they’ve beaten a WNBA player in a three-point shootout — let alone Sabrina Ionescu. Well, unless you’re Khate Castillo. On...

Basketball

Afril Bernardino and Andrea Tongco delivered record-setting performances to power Philippine Navy into the quarterfinals, dominating Centro Escolar University, 93-52, in the 2025 Women’s...

News

Inspired by the Highrisers’ historic quarterfinals entry in the Premier Volleyball League, the Galeries Tower Skyrisers made a strong comeback in the 2025 Women’s...

Advertisement