Camille Naredo

UST's Karylle Sierba in action against Discovery Perlas in the first-ever Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League game, January 19, 2025 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. WMPBL Media

UST's Karylle Sierba in action against Discovery Perlas in the first-ever Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League game, January 19, 2025 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion

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WMPBL

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1737349179656WMPBL 2025 UST vs. Discovery- Karylle Sierba-2268.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="UST&#x27;s Karylle Sierba in action against Discovery Perlas in the first-ever Women&#x27;s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League game, January 19, 2025 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. WMPBL Media"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">UST&#x27;s Karylle Sierba in action against Discovery Perlas in the first-ever Women&#x27;s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League game, January 19, 2025 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. <em>WMPBL Media</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- In a fitting inaugural for the Women&#x27;s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, University of Santo Tomas showed that the future is now with a dominant 82-67 win over a veteran Discovery Perlas squad, Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.</p><p>The league&#x27;s first-ever game was a battle between the old guard and the new generation, as a UST squad filled with collegiate players took the fight to a team that was led by former national team star and now-assistant coach Allana Lim.</p><p>Freshman Karylle Sierba led all scorers with 14 points on an efficient 6-for-12 shooting performance, while Nigerian center Oma Onianwa delivered a near double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds for the Growling Tigresses.</p><p>The Tigresses pulled away in the second quarter, closing the first half with a decisive 10-0 run that set the tone for the rest of the game.</p><p>UST built a lead as large as 27 points, making it difficult for Discovery to rally back.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/1/18/ust-growling-tigresses-discovery-perlas-set-to-open-inaugural-wmpbl-tourney-1648">READ: UST Growling Tigresses, Discovery Perlas set to open inaugural WMPBL tourney</a></div><p>Lim, despite the loss, led Perlas with 17 points and nine assists, while Camille Sambile added 13 markers in the losing effort.</p><p>Nicole Danganan of UST etched her name in WMPBL history by scoring the league&#x27;s first-ever point, converting 1-of-2 free throws to open the game.</p><p>The league&#x27;s opening ceremonies were graced by Senators Manny Pacquiao and Francis Tolentino, who both delivered inspirational speeches alongside WMPBL Commissioner Haydee Ong.</p><p>&quot;This league is more than a competition. It is a platform for empowerment and a celebration of excellence for Filipinas who dare to dream big. Ito ang liga para sa bawat Pilipina na nangarap at lumaban,&quot; said Pacquiao, the league&#x27;s chairman.</p><p>&quot;Sa WMPBL, hindi lang sila bahagi ng laro, sila ang puso ng bawat laro,&quot; he added.</p><p>In other matches in this invitational tournament supported by Uratex, Discovery Suites, Red Dynasty, Gotobox, Gerry&#x27;s Grill, Prettiest, Team Graphitee, Evo Performance Helmets, Ryzen Helmets, Katinko, Dorayd, Sogo Hotel, Global Bosny Manufacturing, and Bavin, the Imus Sis-VBL Lady Magdalo and the New Zealand-Bluefire Valkyries also secured victories.</p><p>The Lady Magdalo edged out the PSP Lady Gymers in a tight 73-70 battle despite the ejection of head coach Alex De Los Santos.</p><p>Khaterine Cantimbuhan led Imus with 17 points and three assists, while Annie Grace Pamaran and Nikka Villanueva contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively.</p><p>Meanwhile, La Salle great Snow Peñaranda made history for the Valkyries by delivering the WMPBL&#x27;s first double-double, scoring 25 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in their narrow 54-51 victory over the Cavite-Tol Patriots.</p><p>Clinging to a slim one-point lead in the final minute, New Zealand-Bluefire sealed the win with two clutch free throws from Cameroonian big Fina Tchuido.</p><p>For PSP -- a team coached by Terrence Romeo, Jeedel Bartolo stood out with a game-high 18 points, sinking four triples, while Charmaine Lepardo was the lone double-digit scorer for Cavite with 11 points.</p><p>Games on Wednesday will be announced on Monday afternoon with all tilts airing  live on IBC 13, as well as on the league&#x27;s official Facebook page and YouTube channel.</p><div><strong>The Scores:</strong></div><div><strong>First Game</strong></div><p>UST 82 – Sierba 14, Onianwa 13, Tacatac 9, Soriano 9, Pineda 8, Santos 7, Pastrana 6, Ambos 5, Danganan 5, Pescador 3, Bron 2, Maglupay 1, Relliquette 0, Amatong 0, Serrano 0</p><p>Discovery 67 – Lim 17, Sambile 13, Ferrer 8, Gloriani 6, Anies 6, Galicia 5, Tolentino 4, Palmera-Dy 4, Villasin 3, Candelario 1, Adriano 0, Borja 0, Penaflor 0</p><p>Quarterscores: 21-17, 42-27, 60-43, 82-67</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Second Game</strong></div><p>Imus Sis-VBL 73 – Cantimbuhan 17, Pamaran 16, Villanueva 15, Cabahug 9, Flor 8, Ebio 2, Dela Cruz 2, Buenafe 2, Bañadora 2, San Diego 0, Libor 0, Taclibon 0, Dela Cuesta 0</p><p>PSP 70 – Bartolo 18, Larrosa 15, Aquino 12, Quiapo 12, Cancio 4, Ventura 3, Dionisio 2, Antonio 2, Taguiam 2, Geli 0, Tolentino 0, Buendia 0, Terrinal 0</p><p>Quarterscores: 16-14, 35-34, 60-57, 73-70</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Third Game</strong></div><p>New Zealand-Bluefire 54 – Peñaranda 25, Castillo 7, Quingco 5, Tchuido 4, Mendoza 4, Claro 3, Torres 3, Sario 3, Villamor 0, Binaohan 0, Torres 0, Ahmed 0</p><p>Cavite-Tol 51 – Lepardo 11, San Juan 8, Gonato 8, Del Prado 4, Zshomack 4, Paraiso 4, Hawkins 4, Caringal 2, Reyes 0, Casinillo 0, Magalong 0, Jimenez 0</p><p>Quarterscores: 17-14, 32-28, 38-38, 54-51</p>

<p>The league's first-ever game was a battle between the old guard and the new generation.</p>

The league's first-ever game was a battle between the old guard and the new generation.

UST overwhelms Discovery Perlas in inaugural WMPBL game

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UST overwhelms Discovery Perlas in inaugural WMPBL game

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Published January 20, 2025 01:00 PM PHT

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