Camille Naredo

Janine Pontejos in action for San Juan-DN Steel against Discovery-Rizal in the 2025 Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League regular season, September 21, 2025 at the Ynares Montalban Arena. Handout/WMPBL

Janine Pontejos in action for San Juan-DN Steel against Discovery-Rizal in the 2025 Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League regular season, September 21, 2025 at the Ynares Montalban Arena.

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WMPBL

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17584740588472025 WMPBL - San Juan vs Discovery-Rizal - Janine Pontejos.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Janine Pontejos in action for San Juan-DN Steel against Discovery-Rizal in the 2025 Women&#x27;s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League regular season, September 21, 2025 at the Ynares Montalban Arena. Handout/WMPBL"/>Janine Pontejos in action for San Juan-DN Steel against Discovery-Rizal in the 2025 Women&#x27;s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League regular season, September 21, 2025 at the Ynares Montalban Arena. Handout/WMPBL</div>MANILA -- San Juan-DN Steel pounced on the Tantoy Ferrer-less Discovery-Rizal, 63-58, to move on the cusp of an outright semifinals spot in the 2025 Women&#x27;s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League regular season on Sunday at the Ynares Montalban Arena.Behind a strong performance from veteran Janine Pontejos, the Lady Knights claimed their fourth straight win and improved to a league-best 7-2 record.Pontejos erupted for 23 points built on three triples, on top of four rebounds, four assists, and two blocks as San Juan-DN Steel ended Perlas’ five-game winning streak — exacting payback for their 59-81 defeat in the first round.&quot;Kailangan namin &#x27;tong game na &#x27;to. Lalo na dikit sa standings, at para maka-bounce back na kami lalo na tinalo kami ng Discovery [nung first round],&quot; said Lady Knights head coach Ai Lebornio.&quot;Sobrang saya sa effort ng mga players kasi hindi kami nagpahinga eh. Sabi ko sa kanila, pagbigyan nila kami, pagbigyan nila kami ng management para mas makuha namin at mas makapaghanda kami ngayon,&quot; she added.Clinging to a slim 59-58 lead with under two minutes left, San Juan-DN Steel tightened up defensively and shut down Discovery-Perlas in the final 1:46, while Chack Cabinbin, Pontejos, and Dianne Pedregosa delivered clutch baskets to seal the win.Hazel Panti added 10 points and four rebounds, while Pedregosa chipped in nine points and six rebounds. Stefhanie Ventura came up with eight markers, nine boards, and five steals in the huge win for the Lady Knights.San Juan-DN Steel will look to seal its place in the top two when they face off against Tagaytay-Tol on October 5 in Pangasinan.On the other hand, Perlas slid to 5-3 and are now in the third spot.Tacky Tacatac stood out as the lone bright spot for Discovery-Rizal, finishing with 18 points, eight rebounds, and four assists as Ferrer sat out due to illness.Raiza Palmera-Dy chipped in 11 points on a rough 3-of-11 clip but still tallied nine assists, eight rebounds, and six steals, while Allana Lim struggled with just eight points and eight turnovers, though she hauled down 14 boards.Discovery-Rizal will try to strengthen its bid for an automatic semis slot against New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas also on October 5.<div> </div><div>The Scores:</div>San Juan-DN Steel 63 – Pontejos 23, Panti 10, Pedregosa 9, Ventura 8, Canuto 5, Talas 5, Cabinbin 3, Junsay 0, Paras 0, Adlawan 0, Tolentino 0Discovery-Rizal 58 – Tacatac 18, Palmera-Dy 11, Lim 9, Anies 8, Sison 5, Sambile 4, Galicia 3, Capilit 0, Felisarta 0, Candelario 0Quarterscores: 20-13, 24-25, 43-43, 63-58

San Juan-DN Steel pounced on the Tantoy Ferrer-less Discovery-Rizal, 63-58, to move on the cusp of an outright semifinals spot in the 2025 Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League regular season.

San Juan-DN Steel pounced on the Tantoy Ferrer-less Discovery-Rizal, 63-58, to move on the cusp of an outright semifinals spot in the 2025 Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League regular season.

WMPBL: San Juan snaps Discovery-Rizal's win streak, nears semis berth

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WMPBL: San Juan snaps Discovery-Rizal's win streak, nears semis berth

ABS-CBN News

Published September 22, 2025 01:33 AM PHT

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