Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire and Akari-Rizal will settle the 2026 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Finals in a winner-take-all Game 3 on Wednesday at the Parañaque Coliseum.
After dropping the series opener in heartbreaking fashion, the Valkyries responded like champions, cruising to a dominant 83-60 victory last Sunday.
The team leaned on another stellar performance from newly crowned three-time MVP Afril Bernardino to force the deciding game.
The Sparks, meanwhile, have one last chance to complete their dream season by capturing the franchise’s first WMPBL championship.
After falling short in their first closeout attempt, Akari-Rizal will look to rediscover the balanced brand of basketball that made it the league’s top team during the elimination round.
The stage is set for another fierce showdown. Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire hopes to ride the momentum of its commanding Game 2 win, while the Sparks aim to prove that their Game 1 triumph better reflects the team that topped the standings.
All eyes will once again be on Bernardino, who has set the tone for the Valkyries throughout the Finals.
(C) WMPBL
The Gilas Pilipinas star posted a dominant 24-point, 21-rebound double-double in Game 2. Then she added three assists, three steals, and three blocks to keep Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire’s title defense alive.
Bernardino is expected to lead the Valkyries once more, but Batangas will also need key contributions from Snow Peñaranda, Pringle Fabruada, Khate Castillo, and Camille Claro as it seeks to retain its crown in the Aktive-backed league.
“Sense of urgency — that we want this more than Akari,” said Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire head coach Cholo Villanueva when asked what he wants to see from his team in Game 3.
“They are the hunters in this series, and we are the hunted. Pero we are going to be in desperate mode to protect the championship and win another title for New Zealand Bluefire,” he added.
Standing in Batangas’ way is an Akari-Rizal squad that will rely on the quartet of Mar Prado, Janine Pontejos, Raiza Palmera-Dy, and Allana Lim in its bid for a breakthrough championship.
With the series tied at one game apiece, another intense battle is expected as Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire’s championship pedigree clashes with Akari-Rizal’s determination to capture its first WMPBL title.
