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 League (WMPBL) Invitational Tournament on Sunday at the Divine Light Academy Gym.
The Growling Tigresses set the tone early, preventing the Lady Tamaraws from gaining any momentum en route to a wire-to-wire victory that clinched their playoff berth in the tournament backed by Manny Pacquiao, Senator Francis Tolentino, and the MPBL Partylist.
Kent Pastrana, Oma Onianwa, and Brigette Santos led UST’s scorching 22-11 start in the first quarter, putting FEU on the back foot from the outset.
The Growling Tigresses extended their lead to as much as 32 points at the start of the fourth quarter, with Gin Relliquette converting both of her free throws at the 8:46 mark to give UST an 81-49 advantage.
“Okay naman, I won’t say happy. Maybe pleased about it kasi siyempre since after losing to Aguilas, nung time na ‘yun apat pa nga kaming isang loss lang eh. So sabi ko kailangan talaga ma-sweep na namin the rest of the eliminations, which is nangyari naman. Okay naman,” said UST head coach Ged Austria.
“I won’t say happy, but it’s nice. Nung natalo kami sa Aguilas, the goal was to not lose anymore,” he added.
Pastrana flirted with a triple-double to lead the Growling Tigresses, finishing with 17 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, along with two steals as UST ended the eliminations on a three-game winning streak, closing with a 6-1 record tied with Philippine Navy atop Pool B.
Onianwa posted a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, along with two blocks, while Karylle Sierba and Santos chipped in 14 and 10 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, FEU wrapped up the elimination round with a 2-5 record in Pool A and must await the remaining results to determine its playoff fate.
Erica Lopez paced the Lady Tamaraws with 17 points, while Shane Salvani contributed 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists. MJ Manguiat and Maxene Dela Torre added 10 points each, while Amyah Espanol was held scoreless in 14 minutes of action.
In other games, the Galeries Tower Skyrisers and the San Juan Lady Knights both picked up victories in the tournament, which is also 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.
(C) WMPBL
Galeries outlasted Pilipinas Aguilas, 63-58, to boost its quarterfinals bid in a tightly contested Pool B matchup.
Cindy Resultay flirted with a double-double, tallying 15 points and nine rebounds, while May May Canuto delivered an equally strong performance with 15 points as well. The Skyrisers have now won back-to-back games to improve their record to 5-1.
Meanwhile, the playoff-bound Aguilas absorbed their second loss of the tournament, slipping to second place in Pool A with a 5-2 record, ultimately giving Discovery Perlas the top seed with a 6-1 card. Both teams are assured of twice-to-beat incentives in the playoffs.
Mar Prado had 16 points and eight rebounds to pace Pilipinas Aguilas, while Kem Adeshina added 12 points and seven boards in the loss.
(C) WMPBL
In the second game, San Juan kept its slim playoff hopes in Pool B alive after edging PSP, 86-81, to close out the eliminations.
The Lady Knights, who are in danger of missing the quarterfinals due to an inferior point differential compared to Galeries and New Zealand-Bluefire, were led by stellar performances from Rejoice Adlawan and Jhenn Angeles.
Adlawan erupted for 25 points and nine rebounds, while Angeles contributed 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals for San Juan.
Meanwhile, the already-eliminated Lady Gymers concluded their campaign with a 1-6 record in Pool A, with Jeedel Bartolo scoring a game-high 28 points in a valiant effort.
The Scores
First game
UST 96 – Pastrana 17, Onianwa 16, Sierba 14, Santos 10, McAlary 8, Relliquette 6, Bron 6, Ambos 6, N. Danganan 5, E. Danganan 4, Amatong 2, Serrano 2, Maglupay 0, Pescador 0.
FEU 74 – Lopez 17, Salvani 15, Manguiat 10, Dela Torre 10, Villanueva 8, Patio 8, Pasilang 4, Ong 2, Gavaran 0, Espanol 0, Pagteilan 0, Nagma 0.
Quarterscores: 22-11, 52-31, 79-49, 96-74.
Second game
San Juan 86 – Adlawan 25, Angeles 22, Abaca 9, Junsay 7, Salapong 6, Miranda 5, Gonzales 4, Panti 3, Peñaroyo 2, Mejasco 2, Marcos 1, Sanchez 0, Ventura 0.
PSP 81 – Bartolo 28, Harada 14, Quiapo 10, Aquino 9, Taguiam 6, Cancio 6, Dionisio 4, Buendia 2, Larrosa 2, Ventura 0, Dimaunahan 0, Geli 0, Antonio 0, Terrinal 0.
Quarterscores: 27-19, 36-37, 56-47, 86-81.
Third game
Galeries Tower 63 – Resultay 15, Canuto 15, Fabruada 11, Almazan 8, Vacalaeres 8, Sandel 4, Tecson 2, Manzanares 0, Lacayanga 0, Paig 0, Kone 0, Ronquillo 0.
Pilipinas Aguilas 58 – Prado 16, Adeshina 12, Cabinbin 11, Pana 10, Cac 3, Guytingco 3, Ramos 2, Apag 1.
Quarterscores: 14-17, 27-29, 43-37, 63-58.
