Jeorge Panti seized her moment in the spotlight, leading RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT to a breakthrough semifinal appearance in the 2026 WMPBL after a gritty 53-49 victory over Pasig last Thursday.
With star forward Tantoy Ferrer away on national team duty at the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series, Panti delivered her finest performance of the tournament, powering her team to the quarterfinal-clinching win.
The former University of Santo Tomas standout posted a dominant double-double of 15 points and 16 rebounds, along with three assists, as she spearheaded RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT’s comeback from a 13-point deficit. The victory allowed the Quezon City-based squad to capitalize on its twice-to-beat advantage and avoid a winner-take-all Game 2.
Despite entering the quarterfinals with that cushion, Panti said the team deliberately set aside any thought of the twice-to-beat incentive, choosing instead to approach the game with a do-or-die mentality.
“Mindset talaga namin sa umpisa, tinanggal namin sa isip namin na twice-to-beat kami. Kaya talagang noong naglalaro kami, buong game, nasa isip lang namin na kapag hindi namin nakuha ‘to, wala na,” said Panti.
(C) WMPBL
For Panti, reaching the semifinals was especially meaningful given how far the team has come from last season.
After finishing at the bottom of the standings with just one win in 10 regular-season games, RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT has now emerged as one of the final four teams in the country’s premier women’s professional basketball league.
“Sobrang halaga kasi ito ‘yung first step namin sa semis. Recap lang natin ‘yung last season, nasa bottom kami. Una, parang first time nga, so masarap sa feeling kasi achievement ‘yun ng buong team,” she said.
Head coach Bonnie Garcia credited Panti for sparking the team’s comeback, praising her leadership and resilience despite battling an injury.
Behind Panti’s inspired play, the fourth-seeded squad tightened its defense and held Pasig to just five points over the final 14 minutes and 47 seconds. RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT closed the game with a decisive 23-5 run to complete the comeback and book its place in the semifinals.
“Credit talaga kay Jeorge. Siya ‘yung nag-lead eh, ‘yung point guard. Even though may injury ‘yan, ‘di ko na nga pinag-ensayo kahapon ‘yan, may iniinda pa, so she delivered,” said Garcia.
The challenge only gets tougher from here, as RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT now takes on top-seeded Akari-Rizal in the semifinals after losing both of their regular-season meetings.
Akari-Rizal dominated the season series with convincing 84-50 and 96-69 victories, but Panti said her team is determined to carry the same grit and fighting spirit that fueled its historic quarterfinal breakthrough.
“Mindset namin papuntang semis, una, sistema. Pangalawa, puso talaga at tiwala sa isa’t isa. Laban lang. Hangga’t may oras, laban lang.”
