Basketball: Aguilas ready for WMPBL debut against Valkyries | ABS-CBN
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Basketball: Aguilas ready for WMPBL debut against Valkyries
Basketball: Aguilas ready for WMPBL debut against Valkyries
ABS-CBN News
Published Jan 29, 2025 06:00 AM PHT
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The core of the Adamson Lady Falcons have joined the roster of the Pilipinas Aguilas in the Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. UAAP Media/File
![The core of the Adamson Lady Falcons have joined the roster of the Pilipinas Aguilas in the Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. UAAP Media/File](https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1738075234015UAAP 87 WBB - HC RYAN MONTECLARO-3170.jpg)
MANILA -- The highly-touted Pilipinas Aguilas will make their debut in the 2025 Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) on Wednesday against New Zealand-Bluefire.
MANILA -- The highly-touted Pilipinas Aguilas will make their debut in the 2025 Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) on Wednesday against New Zealand-Bluefire.
The Aguilas-Valkyries showdown will open the triple-header at the New Era Central Recreation and Fitness Center at 4 p.m.
The Aguilas-Valkyries showdown will open the triple-header at the New Era Central Recreation and Fitness Center at 4 p.m.
On paper, the Pilipinas Aguilas boast one of the deepest rosters in the 14-team league.
On paper, the Pilipinas Aguilas boast one of the deepest rosters in the 14-team league.
Anchored by the core of Adamson University, which finished third in the recently-concluded UAAP Season 87 Women's Basketball Tournament, the Aguilas have assembled a roster filled with stars.
Anchored by the core of Adamson University, which finished third in the recently-concluded UAAP Season 87 Women's Basketball Tournament, the Aguilas have assembled a roster filled with stars.
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The lineup includes standouts such as Chack Cabinbin, Jhazmin Joson, Monique Del Carmen, Trina Guytingco, Mar Prado, Tina Deacon, Mikka Cacho, Kath Araja, and Melody Cac.
The lineup includes standouts such as Chack Cabinbin, Jhazmin Joson, Monique Del Carmen, Trina Guytingco, Mar Prado, Tina Deacon, Mikka Cacho, Kath Araja, and Melody Cac.
Adding to their firepower is Alexis Pana, a 5-foot-9 Fil-Hawaiian forward who previously played in the EuroCup for CS Universitatea Cluj and Kibirkstis Vilnius.
Adding to their firepower is Alexis Pana, a 5-foot-9 Fil-Hawaiian forward who previously played in the EuroCup for CS Universitatea Cluj and Kibirkstis Vilnius.
Despite the high expectations surrounding the team, head coach Ryan Monteclaro remains focused on taking things one step at a time.
Despite the high expectations surrounding the team, head coach Ryan Monteclaro remains focused on taking things one step at a time.
"We understand that when you see familiar names on a team, expectations will naturally be higher. For us, though, everyone is essentially a rookie. It's our first time to compete on this platform. Our goal is to improve every day, and from there, we'll take it step by step until we achieve our objectives," said Monteclaro, who will be assisted by Eric Altamirano and supported by analytics guru Paolo Layug as team manager.
"We understand that when you see familiar names on a team, expectations will naturally be higher. For us, though, everyone is essentially a rookie. It's our first time to compete on this platform. Our goal is to improve every day, and from there, we'll take it step by step until we achieve our objectives," said Monteclaro, who will be assisted by Eric Altamirano and supported by analytics guru Paolo Layug as team manager.
Meanwhile, the Valkyries are looking to go 2-0 in this league backed by Manny Pacquiao, Senator Francis Tolentino, and the MPBL Partylist.
Meanwhile, the Valkyries are looking to go 2-0 in this league backed by Manny Pacquiao, Senator Francis Tolentino, and the MPBL Partylist.
New Zealand-Bluefire is coming off a gritty 54-51 win over Cavite-Tol on opening day, with La Salle standouts Snow Peñaranda and Khate Castillo leading the charge.
New Zealand-Bluefire is coming off a gritty 54-51 win over Cavite-Tol on opening day, with La Salle standouts Snow Peñaranda and Khate Castillo leading the charge.
Also seeking their second victories in this tournament supported by Uratex, Discovery Suites, Red Dynasty, Gotobox, Gerry's Grill, Prettiest, Team Graphitee, Evo Performance Helmets, Ryzen Helmets, Katinko, Dorayd, Sogo Hotel, Global Bosny Manufacturing, and Bavin are the Galeries Tower and the University of Santo Tomas.
Also seeking their second victories in this tournament supported by Uratex, Discovery Suites, Red Dynasty, Gotobox, Gerry's Grill, Prettiest, Team Graphitee, Evo Performance Helmets, Ryzen Helmets, Katinko, Dorayd, Sogo Hotel, Global Bosny Manufacturing, and Bavin are the Galeries Tower and the University of Santo Tomas.
The Skyrisers will face the Solar Home Suns at 6 p.m., while the UST Tigresses battle the PSP Lady Gymers in the nightcap.
The Skyrisers will face the Solar Home Suns at 6 p.m., while the UST Tigresses battle the PSP Lady Gymers in the nightcap.
The Suns and the Lady Gymers, both coming off opening-day losses, will look to bounce back and secure their first wins of the tournament.
The Suns and the Lady Gymers, both coming off opening-day losses, will look to bounce back and secure their first wins of the tournament.
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