Dennis Gaviola

Afril Bernardino in action for New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas against Tagaytay-Tol in the semifinals of the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, October 19, 2025 at the Villar Coliseum. Handout/WMPBL

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1760892636310WMPBL 2025 1st Reg Tagaytay vs Batangas_BERNARDINO Afril-07712.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Afril Bernardino in action for New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas against Tagaytay-Tol in the semifinals of the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, October 19, 2025 at the Villar Coliseum. Handout/WMPBL"/>Afril Bernardino in action for New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas against Tagaytay-Tol in the semifinals of the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, October 19, 2025 at the Villar Coliseum. Handout/WMPBL</div>MANILA -- Afril Bernardino recorded another triple-double to power New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas to an 81-62 rout of Tagaytay-Tol in Game 1 of their best-of-3 semifinals series in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL).The huge victory on Sunday at the Villar Coliseum brought Batangas to within one win of the Finals.It was an inspired performance from Bernardino, whose ailing father is currently confined in a hospital. The former National University star tallied 14 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists, along with four blocks and two steals as the Valkyries took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-3 series.This was Bernardino&#x27;s second straight triple-double, as she had put together a 19-point, 21-rebound, 10-steal masterpiece against Discovery-Rizal in their regular-season finale last October 4.Bernardino now has three triple-doubles in the league, having made history with a 26-point, 15-rebound, 10-steal output in a 93-52 rout of Centro Escolar University during the WMPBL&#x27;s inaugural invitational tournament last March 12.&quot;Yung laro ko ngayon, para sa papa ko kasi nasa ospital siya ngayon so under observation,&quot; said an emotional Bernardino after the victory.&quot;Kailangan pa namin ng improvements every day. &#x27;Yung mga nagiging errors namin this game, sana ma-improve and ma-develop pa namin. Then &#x27;yung mga costly errors, sa shooting, improve lang namin,&quot; added Bernardino, who also spoke on behalf of head coach Cholo Villanueva, who had to rush to the Smart Araneta Coliseum to call the shots for De La Salle University in the UAAP.The Patriots simply had no answer for the surging Valkyries, who also drew steady contributions from veterans Khate Castillo, Snow Peñaranda, and Pringle Fabruada.Their experience and composure helped New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas maintain rhythm and control on both ends of the floor.Castillo finally broke out of her shooting slump, finishing with a game-high 15 points built on three triples.Peñaranda added a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Fabruada provided a huge spark off the bench with 13 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.The Valkyries will look to seal the deal in Game 2 on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Montalban, where a victory would punch their ticket to the Finals.On the other hand, Tagaytay-Tol sorely missed the presence of sharpshooter Luisa San Juan, who served the first of her two-game suspension after being ejected for two technical fouls in their semifinals-clinching win over Pangasinan-Solar Home last October 12.The Patriots struggled to find their rhythm offensively, shooting just 28 percent from the field (22-of-77) and 6-of-29 from three-point range.Justine Domingo led the charge for Tagaytay-Tol with 19 points and eight rebounds, while Stefanie Berberabe posted a double-double of 16 points and 15 rebounds, albeit on a cold 5-of-18 shooting clip, in a losing effort.<div> </div><div>The Scores:</div>New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas 81 – Castillo 15, Bernardino 14, Peñaranda 13, Fabruada 13, Lozada 6, Claro 5, Torres 5, Bariquit 3, Calang 3, Aquino 2, Manzanares 2, Tongco 0, Sanchez 0Tagaytay-Tol 62 – Domingo 19, Berberabe 16, Del Carmen 11, Natural 6, Paraiso 5, Santos 3, Pacia 2, Harada 0Quarterscores: 25-19, 49-38, 63-51, 81-62

#WMPBL | Afril Bernardino recorded another triple-double to power New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas to an 81-62 rout of Tagaytay-Tol in Game 1 of their best-of-3 semifinals series in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

#WMPBL | Afril Bernardino recorded another triple-double to power New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas to an 81-62 rout of Tagaytay-Tol in Game 1 of their best-of-3 semifinals series in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

WMPBL: Bernardino's triple-double powers Batangas past Tagaytay in Game 1

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WMPBL: Bernardino's triple-double powers Batangas past Tagaytay in Game 1

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Published Oct 20, 2025 12:55 AM PHT

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