Games on Sunday
(Enderun Gym)
4 p.m. – PSP vs Galeries Tower
6 p.m. – FEU vs Philippine Navy
8 p.m. – Pilipinas Aguilas vs EZ Jersey
PHILIPPINE Navy bounced back in dominant fashion, overwhelming Solar Home, 94-46, to claim a share of the top spot in Group B of the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) Invitational Tournament last Wednesday, Feb. 12, at the Enderun Gym.
Following their 80-71 loss to Discover Perlas on February 5, the Lady Sailors unleashed their frustration on the Suns, setting the tone early by limiting them to just four points in the opening quarter.
Gemma Miranda and Janelle Mendoza powered Navy’s blistering 21-4 start in the first frame. From there, the Lady Sailors never looked back, ramping up the intensity in the second quarter to build a commanding 52-16 halftime lead.
The advantage ballooned to as much as 49 points, with Tongco sealing the dominant win with a layup in the final seconds. The victory allowed Navy to tie New Zealand-Blufire at the top of Pool B, both holding identical 3-1 records in this tournament backed by Manny Pacquiao, Senator Francis Tolentino, and the MPBL Partylist.
“Knowing Solar Home, maglalaro ‘yan ng 100 percent nila. Kita mo naman kung paano sila (lumaban),” said Navy head coach Ewon Arayi, who remained unsatisfied with her team’s performance, particularly on defense.
“Sa amin, kahit nanalo kami, sabi ko, hindi ko sila pupurihin 100 percent. Alam mo kung bakit? Kasi hindi nagawa ‘yung ibang plans namin. Hindi nag-materialize, like our defense—nalulusutan kami,” she added.
Afril Bernardino led the Kalos PH and Go for Gold-backed Lady Sailors with a game-high 19 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and seven steals.
Mendoza contributed 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while Miranda posted 14 points, nine boards, and two steals. Jyra Brillante also provided a spark off the bench, scoring 11 points on an efficient 71 percent shooting.
Meanwhile, Patricia Rodas was the lone double-digit scorer for Solar Home, finishing with 13 points and eight rebounds as her team suffered its third straight defeat.
In other games, Cavite-TOL and the Valkyries also picked up victories in the tournament backed 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.
The Lady Patriots dominated their fellow Caviteñas, Imus-SIS VBL, with an emphatic 87-48 win to secure their first victory in the invitational tournament.
Luisa San Juan, the UAAP record-holder for most three-points made, erupted for 28 points on 61 percent shooting while adding three rebounds and three steals.
Charmaine Natural chipped in 14 points and eight boards as Cavite-TOL improved to 1-2 in Group A, tying with Centro Escolar University.
Jordan Hawkins contributed 12 points, while team captain Bernice Paraiso, sister of Terrafirma guard Brent, filled the stat sheet with 11 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and six steals.
Fionna Gonato also had 11 markers for the Lady Patriots.
On the other hand, the Lady Magdalo dropped to 1-2 in Group B despite solid efforts from Nel Flor and Khaterine Cantimbuhan, who scored 13 and 11 points, respectively.
In the opening game, New Zealand-Blufire notched its second consecutive victory with a commanding 91-48 win over Centro Escolar University.
Khate Castillo led the way for the 3-1 Valkyries, finishing with 15 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
