Daven Tamayo

WMPBL: Batangas beats QC, strengthens semis bid

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781090999044WMPBL 2nd Reg Season_ Batangas vs QC_ CASTILLO Khate-07224.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>WMPBL photoBatangas strengthened its bid for the coveted outright semifinals berth in the 2026 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, overwhelming Quezon City, 96-69, on Wednesday at Hoops Haven in Pasay City.</div>The emphatic victory assured the Valkyries of at least a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals and forged a tie with Akari-Rizal atop the standings with identical 6-1 records in the tournament backed by Aktive.With two games still remaining on their schedule, Batangas-New Zealand remained firmly in the hunt for the league’s top seed and the automatic passage to the semifinals.After a tightly contested first half, Batangas-New Zealand seized control in the third quarter, erupting for 26 points while limiting RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT to just six. The decisive surge turned a close contest into a comfortable 76-52 cushion by the start of the final quarter, allowing the Valkyries to create the separation they needed before doing enough in the fourth period to put the game away. “We were able to control the game because of our defensive identity. We were exchanging shots, especially in the first half. When we clamped down defensively in the third quarter, they had only two points by the seven-minute mark,” said Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire head coach Cholo Villanueva.“It means we stayed true to our defensive mentality, which is what we want to use to control the game,&quot; he added.Khate Castillo fired 28 big points, including six from the rainbow arc, to go along with five rebounds and four assists to lead the Valkyries&#x27; fifth consecutive victory.Afril Bernardino registered an all-around effort of 16 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and three blocks, while Snow Peñaranda also tallied 16 markers on 6-of-8 shooting from the field for Batangas-New Zealand Bluefre.Meanwhile, RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT absorbed its second consecutive loss to slide to 2-6 tied with Pasig at the fourth spot.Tantoy Ferrer paced the Quezon City-based squad with 14 points, eight assists, six rebounds, and three steals, while Ann Dampios had 12 points and four boards in the loss.

Batangas strengthened its bid for the coveted outright semifinals berth in the 2026 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, overwhelming Quezon City, 96-69, on Wednesday at Hoops Haven in Pasay City.

Batangas strengthened its bid for the coveted outright semifinals berth in the 2026 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, overwhelming Quezon City, 96-69, on Wednesday at Hoops Haven in Pasay City.