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 85 WBB: NU vents ire on La Salle, moves to cusp of seven-peat

“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  National University Bulldogs: PCCL 2014 Primer

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

3x3 Basketball

ALL eyes will be on Far Eastern University and De La Salle University as the UAAP Season 87 3×3 Basketball Tournaments kick off on...

Basketball

By: Jerod Orcullo Fresh off a strong runner-up finish in the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League invitationals, University of Santo Tomas head coach Ged...

Basketball

When the Pilipinas Aguilas clinched the inaugural Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League title on Wednesday evening, head coach Paolo Layug immediately embraced team consultant...

Basketball

By: Jerod Orcullo From getting her first taste of Filipino basketball just four months ago to leading the Pilipinas Aguilas to the inaugural WMPBL...

Basketball

The Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League wrapped up its inaugural Invitational Tournament on Wednesday evening, with Pilipinas Aguilas emerging victorious and taking home the...

Basketball

By: Jonash Dannug and Jerod Orcullo Pilipinas  Aguilas etched their name into the history books after overpowering a gritty University of Santo Tomas squad,...

Basketball

By: Jerod Orcullo After scoring just two points in their double-overtime loss last Wednesday, Rachelle Ambos bounced back with a stellar 13-point, six-rebound performance...

Basketball

By: Jerod Orcullo Despite struggling to find her rhythm offensively, Kent Pastrana and the UST Growling Tigresses managed to force a rubber match against...

Advertisement