The Akari-Rizal Sparks secured sweet redemption on Wednesday, defeating the defending champions Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire, 73-59, in Game 3 at the Parañaque Coliseum to capture the 2026 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League crown.
After building a commanding 16-point cushion in the first half, the Sparks faced a furious rally from the Valkyries. Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire cut the deficit to just four points, 61-57, early in the fourth quarter behind a quick 7-0 run sparked by Jill Talas.
However, Akari-Rizal responded with a masterclass in defense. They held the defending champions scoreless for over seven minutes while executing a decisive 12-2 closing run propelled by Allana Lim, Janine Pontejos, and Mar Prado to seal the championship.
“First of all, we’d like to thank the Lord for blessing us with this championship. My team truly deserves this. The players worked hard and sacrificed so much,”
said Sparks head coach Derrick Pumaren, adding another milestone to his illustrious coaching legacy.
“During halftime, I told them that the game is not over, that we got to play 20 more minutes. We cannot just play not to lose, we have to play to win. So we have to hand it to the girls. They fought hard,”
Finals MVP Allana Lim capped off her stellar series—where she averaged 17.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists—by delivering 19 points and nine rebounds in the final game. Prado also put up a dominant double-double performance, registering 20 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals.
Providing crucial support for the Sparks were Raiza Palmera-Dy, who tallied nine points, nine assists, and five rebounds, and Jhenn Angeles, who scored nine. Camille Sambile contributed eight points and nine rebounds, while Pontejos also had eight points to go with four assists.
Akari-Rizal’s defensive intensity proved to be the ultimate difference, limiting the Valkyries to a cold 31 percent shooting performance from the field and forcing the extensive scoring drought that locked up the title.
The Valkyries were paced by reigning MVP Afril Bernardino, who played the entire 40 minutes and logged a massive stat line of 16 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, five steals, and four blocks. Khate Castillo finished with 11 points, while Talas chipped in 10 off the bench.
Game Scores
- Akari-Rizal 73 – Prado 20, Lim 19, Palmera-Dy 9, Angeles 9, Pontejos 8, Sambile 8, Ventura 0, Abatayo 0, Adlawan 0, Candelario 0
- Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire 59 – Bernardino 16, Castillo 11, Talas 10, Peñaranda 7, Tongco 7, Lozada 2, Calang 2, Aquino 2, Bariquit 2, Claro 0, Fabruada 0
Quarter Scores: 21-13, 43-27, 61-50, 73-59