Hoop fans are treated with basketball galore from the Women’s Maharlika Basketball League. From January 29 to February 5, which teams have collected wins, and which ones are still searching for the right combination?
WEEK 2: Skyrisers, Tigresses, Lady Knights, and Lady Sailors go 2-0
Last January 29, The Galeries Tower Skyrisers dominated the Solar Home Suns with the final score of 72 – 20. Led by former UAAP Season 72 & 73 MVP Ambie Almazan, she stacked up the stat sheets as she had 21 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 7 steals and 2 blocks in their game. Her teammate, Princess Fabuada had 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals in order to help her team go 2-0. The UST Growling Tigresses also won 2 straight wins after defeating PSP Gymers with a final score of 75 – 32. 3 players raised from the occasion in order to captivate the win for UST. Karylle Sierba had 16 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 5 steals. Kent Pastrana recorded 12 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals. While their foreign student-athlete, Oma Onianwa had 8 points, 16 rebounds, 3 steals, and 5 blocks.
On February 2, Philippine Navy Lady Sailors also went undefeated as they won against Pilipinas Aguilas, 72 – 65. Afril Bernardino had a stellar game of 24 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists. Gemma Miranda had 17 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 steals, contributing to the W also is Josephine Ong with 14 points and 5 assists. On the same day, San Juan Lady Knights stood victorious against FEU Lady Tamaraws, 44 – 37. Led by their import, Annick Edimo Tiky recorded a double-double performance of 14 points, and 18 rebounds while LJ Miranda had 9 points and Rhea Sanchez had 8 points.
WEEK 2: Valkyries, Aguilas, Tamaraws and Scorpions go 1-1
The Pilipinas Aguilas debuted their WMPBL with a win against New Zealand Bluefire Valkyries last January 29 with a score of 66 – 55. Nathalia Prado had a double double performance of 18 points and 13 rebounds while Chack Cabinbin had 12 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds and 5 steals in getting their franchise’s first ever victory. Camille Claro and Snow Peñaranda both had 9 points in a losing effort. On February 2, the Aguilas saw action again but lost against the Lady Sailors. Elaine Etang had 13 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals while Kem Adeshima had 7 points and 10 rebounds as their team finish Week 2 with a 1-1 record.
The other college team competing in this tournament is the CEU Lady Scorpions who had a tough win against the EZ Jersey Relentless last Feb 2 as well. The game ended 68 – 65 with Claire Tapinit having a field day at the office for the Lady Scorpions as she had 14 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals but a disappointing 7 turnovers. Diana Defeles had 12 points and Moahna Cadaro had a double double of 10 points and 11 rebounds to secure the win. Lastly, The FEU Lady Tamaraws bowed down to the Lady Knights as Shane Salavani contributed 9 points with no player scoring double figures for FEU.
WEEK 2: Suns, EZ and Gymers still winless
The Solar Home Suns have dropped their second straight loss in the tournament. Michele Brenzuela had 5 points and Patricia Pesquera had 4 points during their match against the Galeries Tower. Despite having a coaching staff filled of current PBA players, the PSP Gymers also go 0-2 as they were badly beaten against the Tigresses. Camille Taguiam had 13 points and 4 rebounds while Fatima Quiapo had 10 points and 7 rebounds. EZ Relentless are still searching for their first dub as they lose in a clutch game versus the Lady Scorpions. Despite Janeth Sison having 12 points and 8 rebounds and both Tin Capilit and Diana Docallos scoring 10 points each, they still finished Week 2 winless.
WEEK 3: Aguilas, Lady Knights, Valkyries, Discovery and Lady Sailors go 2-1
There was only one play date during Week 3 of WMPBL which happened last February 5. First to see action is Pilipinas Aguilas versus San Juan Lady Knights which the Aguilas won in dominant fashion, 78 – 52. Elain Etang balled out as she had 21 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Alexis Pana had a double double of 19 points and 12 rebounds along with 5 assists and 4 steals. Contributing to the W as well is Melody Mac who scored 14 points off the bench. The only bright spot for the Lady Knights is Rejoice Adlawan who had 23 points and 8 rebounds. The New Zealand Valkyries made a statement against the PSP Lady Gymers as they won with a final score of 71 – 38. Khate Castillo scored 20 points for the Valkyries.
The last match for the day was the Philippine Lady Sailors vs Discovery Perlas in which Discovery won 80 – 71. Allan Lim had 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in order to get the W. Her fellow teammates also showed out as Tantoy Ferrer had 20 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal while Raiza Palmera-Dy, Angel Anies and Camille Sambile all scored 9 points each. Despite the loss, the Lady Sailors didn’t fail to stack up the stat sheet. Gemma Miranda had 19 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Afril Bernadino had another phenomenal game in which she had 16 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks. Janelle Mendoza also had a great performance despite not winning as she had 13 points and 8 rebounds. Lastly, Andrea Tongco also scored double figures with 12 points. Both the Lady Sailors and Discovery end Week 3 with 2 wins and 1 loss.
WEEK 3: Gymmers are still winless
Another day, another blowout loss suffered by the PSP Gymers. In the game against Valkyries, Stifanny Larrosa had the lone bright spot as she had 10 points. The Gymers end Week 3 with a record of 0-3.
