WMPBL turns pro after Aguilas outlast UST for inaugural season crown

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The Pilipinas Aguilas overcome a sluggish start and beat the UST Growling Tigresses in a do-or-die showdown to rule the first season of the WMPBL, which will turn professional

MANILA, Philippines – The Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League is set to turn professional after the Pilipinas Aguilas captured the inaugural crown by overcoming the UST Growling Tigresses on Wednesday, April 23.

Overcoming a sluggish start, the Aguilas pulled off a 54-45 win over the Tigresses in Game 3 of the best-of-three finale at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium behind the trio of Alexis Pana, Mar Prado, and Cheska Apag.

Named the Finals MVP with series averages of 16.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 3.6 steals, Pana tallied 13 points, 8 rebounds, 5 steals, and 2 assists in the winner-take-all match as the Aguilas fought back from a 3-14 deficit then pulled away in the fourth quarter.

Prado netted a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds with 3 blocks and 3 steals, including the bucket that capped a crucial 10-2 burst which broke a 41-41 tie and gave the Aguilas a 51-43 lead with over four minutes remaining.

That run made the difference as the Tigresses, who won Game 2 to force a sudden death, failed to recover and scored just a single basket the rest of the way.

Apag aided Pana and Prado with her finest performance of the series with 13 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals.

“For me, it’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, is reconnecting with her roots, so the story behind each and every player is something very special,” said Aguilas head coach Paulo Layug.

“The makeup of the team, the character of the team, you rarely get to coach a team like this. That’s why I’m very grateful. It was really an honor to be their coach this season.”

Immediately after the finals, the WMPBL intends to turn professional.

“Turning pro means we’re no longer just proving we belong — we’re building a future,” said league president John Kallos. “The WMPBL is here to stay and we’re ready to give Filipina athletes a real career path in the sport they love.”

WMPBL commissioner Haydee Ong, a former player who went on to coach the national women’s team in the past, welcomed the development.

“[T]his is a great opportunity for the future and present generation of women’s ballers — that they can continue their careers right after college, not just with the national team,” said Ong.

Kent Pastrana, Agatha Bron, Rachelle Ambos, and Karylle Sierba each had 8 points in the losing effort.

The Scores

Pilipinas Aguilas 54 – Prado 16, Apag 13, Pana 13, Cac 5, Adeshina 4, Guytingco 2, Cabinbin 1, Etang 0, Limbago 0, Omopia 0.

UST 45 – Ambos 8, Bron 8, Pastrana 8, Sierba 8, Onianwa 6, Soriano 3, Danganan 2, Maglupay 2, Pescador 0, Reliquette 0, Tacatac 0.

Quarters: 3-14, 28-26, 41-41, 54-45.

– Rappler.com