John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

WMPBL 2nd Reg Season Semis_ Akari vs QC_ PONTEJOS Janine-06339

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1782655875896WMPBL 2nd Reg Season Semis_ Akari vs QC_ PONTEJOS Janine-06339.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>WMPBL photo</div>MANILA — Rizal delivered a dominant 93-67 victory over Quezon City in Game 1 of the semifinals to move within one win of a return to the Women&#x27;s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Finals on Sunday at the Parañaque Coliseum.The Akari-Rizal Sparks turned a 12-point first-quarter lead into a commanding 30-point advantage after unleashing a 19-1 run, capped by three straight triples from Janine Pontejos, to build a 44-14 cushion with 34 seconds left in the first half.Akari never looked back from there, cruising to draw first blood in the best-of-three semifinal series in the tournament backed by Aktive.“I think we were able to jump on them early. We were able to score (the first 14) points ata early and we wanted to dictate the tempo. That’s what we wanted,” said Sparks head coach Derrick Pumaren.“But as I told the players, we cannot just rely on lamang kami and run away from what we’re doing, That’s not the right way, kailangan we stick to the system,” he added.Pontejos turned in her best game for Akari-Rizal, finishing with 24 points on six three-pointers to go with three assists.Mar Prado, meanwhile, regained her form and registered 18 points and six rebounds, while Raiza Palmera-Dy tallied a double-double of 15 points and 10 assists on top of four rebounds and two steals.Allana Lim had seven points and four rebounds, while Camille Sambile and LJ Candelario with six markers apiece.The Sparks&#x27; offense clicked from the opening tip, shooting 47 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range while dishing out 32 assists in a wire-to-wire victory.On the other hand, RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT struggled throughout despite the return of star forward Tantoy Ferrer, who nearly recorded a triple-double with 21 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists in 35 minutes of action.Jeorge Panti, who played big in their semis-clinching win over Pasig, tallied a double double of 1 points and 11 assists to go along with five assists.Akari-Rizal will try to punch its ticket to the finals, while RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT fights to force a winner-take-all Game 3 when they meet in Game 2 on July 11 at 6 p.m.<div> </div><div>The Scores:</div>Akari-Rizal 93 – Pontejos 24. Prado 16, Palmera-Dy 15, Lim 7, Sambile 6, Candelario 6, Abatayo 5, Angeles 5, Salapong 3, Adlawan 2, Nagma 2, Ventura 0, Flor 0, Del Prado 0Quezon City 67 – Ferrer 21, J. Panti 11, Molina 7, Dela Cruz 6, Larosa 5, Alcantara 4, Antonio 4, Isip 3, F. Panti 2, Docallos 2, Buendia 2, Aragon 0, Young 0, Dampios 0, Quaipo 0Quarterscores: 25-13, 52-24, 70-46, 93-67

Rizal delivered a dominant 93-67 victory over Quezon City in Game 1 of the semifinals to move within one win of a return to the Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Finals.

Rizal delivered a dominant 93-67 victory over Quezon City in Game 1 of the semifinals to move within one win of a return to the Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Finals.

WMPBL: Rizal dominates QC, on cusp of finals return

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Basketball

WMPBL: Rizal dominates QC, on cusp of finals return

ABS-CBN News

Published June 28, 2026 10:30 PM PHT

Read More:

women's basketball

Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League

WMPBL

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.