With Tantoy Ferrer hampered by foul trouble, Discovery-Rizal head coach Derrick Pumaren turned to Tacky Tacatac to provide a spark in their win over Tagaytay-Tol in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League last Wednesday night.
Tacatac delivered, stepping up during Ferrer’s extended absence to steady the Perlas en route to a 66-56 victory over the Lady Patriots, helping the team forge a share of second place with New Zealand Blufire-Batangas at 4-2.
“I’m happy for her, she played well today, especially when Tantoy [Ferrer] was out due to foul trouble. At least she was there to hold the fort for us,” said Pumaren.
The former University of Sto. Tomas standout brought energy off the bench, playing nearly the entire second half after Ferrer picked up her fourth personal foul at the start of the third quarter.
She finished with nine points on 3-of-13 shooting, grabbed 12 rebounds, and dished out four assists in almost 27 minutes of play.
(C) WMPBL Images
“Well, I think this is her best game so far in ilang games namin. Finally, she was hitting her shots. I think she was just like three out of 28 in the last three games, I think ‘yung sa last three games namin,” added Pumaren.
Tacatac also played a key role in the guard rotation tasked with containing Tagaytay-Tol star Stefanie Berberabe, who came into the game fresh off a historic quadruple-double performance.
She credited Pumaren’s game plan and the collective effort of her teammates for limiting Berberabe’s production, which proved crucial in securing their fourth straight win of the tournament.
Berberabe still posted 19 points on 6-of-17 shooting and seven steals but was held to just five rebounds and three assists while committing four turnovers.
“Sinabi lang talaga sa’min ni Coach Derrick na kailangan namin mai-stop si [Stefanie] Berberabe, especially nung last game. Naka-make siya ng history, naka-quadruple-double siya. So ‘yun talaga ‘yung game plan namin, stop Berberabe and limit lang talaga siya,” Tacatac said.
“Hindi naman namin makukuha ‘yung panalong ‘to at hindi namin masa-stop si Berberabe if hindi dahil sa teammates namin, sa mga coaches namin so credit talaga sa kanila and especially kay coach Manong, siya talaga lahat kami lang nag-execute.”
