Camille Naredo

Pilipinas Aguilas celebrate after winning the first-ever Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League championship, April 23, 2025 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. The Aguilas beat UST, 54-45, in the do-or-die Game 3. Handout/WMPBL

Pilipinas Aguilas celebrate after winning the first-ever Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League championship, April 23, 2025 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. The Aguilas beat UST, 54-45, in the do-or-die Game 3.

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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/1745419145128WMPBL 2025 Aguilas vs. UST Finals G3- Aguilas-8131.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Pilipinas Aguilas celebrate after winning the first-ever Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League championship, April 23, 2025 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. The Aguilas beat UST, 54-45, in the do-or-die Game 3. Handout/WMPBL"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Pilipinas Aguilas celebrate after winning the first-ever Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League championship, April 23, 2025 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. The Aguilas beat UST, 54-45, in the do-or-die Game 3. <em>Handout/WMPBL</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Pilipinas Aguilas wrote a new chapter in the country&#x27;s basketball history books on Wednesday night.</p><p>The Aguilas claimed a gritty 54-45 victory against a hard-fighting University of Santo Tomas squad at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila to emerge as champions of the first-ever tournament of the Women&#x27;s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.</p><p>Refusing to buckle under pressure, the Aguilas overcame a sluggish start in the do-or-die Game 3 and leaned on their trademark poise in the final quarter to repel the Growling Tigresses.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/4/20/ambos-leads-the-way-as-ust-forces-decider-vs-aguilas-for-inaugural-wmpb-crown-2037">READ: UST forces decider vs. Aguilas for inaugural WMPB crown</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/4/16/wmpbl-aguilas-one-win-away-from-crown-after-outlasting-ust-2218">READ: Aguilas one win away from crown after outlasting UST</a></div><p>Coming off a narrow 64-69 loss in Game 2 last Sunday, the Aguilas found themselves trailing early, 3-14, after the first quarter. But they refused to fold, clawing back with relentless defense and timely offense to slowly chip away at the deficit and seize momentum heading into the decisive fourth.</p><p>With the score knotted at 41-all entering the final frame, the Aguilas uncorked a pivotal 10-2 run to take control of the game. Mar Prado capped the rally with a gutsy drive through heavy traffic, sending the crowd into a frenzy as she extended their lead to 51-43 with just 4:16 remaining.</p><p>That explosive stretch proved to be the dagger, as the Aguilas cruised to victory and claimed the championship in the league&#x27;s debut season, which also enjoyed the backing of sponsors such as 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.</p><p>&quot;For me, it&#x27;s really about the players. I was telling the players before the game, what is the story of the Aguilas? And you have players from all sorts of backgrounds. Some were students, some were in the army, some are coming back from bad injuries, one player, Lexi (Pana), is reconnecting with her roots, so the story behind each and every player is something very special,&quot; said Pilipinas Aguilas head coach Paulo Layug.</p><p>&quot;The makeup of the team, the character of the team, you rarely get to coach a team like this. That&#x27;s why I&#x27;m very grateful. It was really an honor to be their coach this season,&quot; he added.</p><p>Alexis Pana was named Finals MVP after a stellar all-around performance throughout the series, averaging 16.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 3.6 steals. In the championship clincher, she delivered 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and five steals.</p><p>Mar Prado provided a strong presence on both ends, finishing with 16 points on 7-of-13 shooting, alongside 12 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks. Cheska Apag also stepped up when it mattered most, tallying 13 points on three triples, with four rebounds, five assists, and four steals—her best showing of the series.</p><p>On the other end, Kent Pastrana struggled anew for UST, managing just eight points along with five rebounds and three assists. Agatha Bron, Rachelle Ambos, and Karylle Sierba each added eight points, while Oma Onianwa grabbed 17 rebounds to go with six points in the loss.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>The Scores:</strong></div><p><strong>Pilipinas Aguilas 54</strong> - Prado 16, Apag 13, Pana 13, Cac 5, Adeshina 4, Guytingco 2, Cabinbin 1, Etang 0, Limbago 0, Omopia 0.</p><p><strong>UST 45</strong> - Ambos 8, Bron 8, Pastrana 8, Sierba 8, Onianwa 6, Soriano 3, Danganan 2, Maglupay 2, Pescador 0, Reliquette 0, Tacatac 0.</p><p><strong>Quarterscores</strong>: 3-14, 28-26, 41-41, 54-45</p>

<p>Pilipinas Aguilas wrote a new chapter in the country's basketball history books on Wednesday night.</p>

Pilipinas Aguilas wrote a new chapter in the country's basketball history books on Wednesday night.

Pilipinas Aguilas crowned inaugural WMPBL champions

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Pilipinas Aguilas crowned inaugural WMPBL champions

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Published April 23, 2025 10:39 PM PHT

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