Handout photo.

MANILA -- Pilipinas Aguilas used a late fourth-quarter surge to edge New Zealand-Bluefire, 66-55, for a winning debut in the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) at the New Era Central Recreation and Fitness Center last Wednesday.

Chack Cabinbin, Melody Cac, Cheska Apag, and Mar Prado led the Aguilas in the fourth quarter, orchestrating a 12-1 run that broke a 54-all deadlock and secured the hard-fought victory.

The Pilipinas Aguilas tightened their defense, limiting the Valkyries to just seven points in the final frame and holding them scoreless in the last five minutes of the game.

“We’re still trying to get there. Konting chemistry pa as a group. We were just lucky ngayon na sa endgame composed kami talaga, but it’s more on sticking with the system that we are trying to build,” said Aguilas head coach Ryan Monteclaro after the win.

“For us, this is still part of the learning curve. Walang guarantee. Even if we won our first game, it doesn’t make us a strong team. It’s a collective effort, kita niyo naman hirap na hirap kami,” he added.

Prado, a former Adamson Lady Falcon who was part of the 30th Southeast Asian Games gold medal winning team, posted a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Aguilas, while skipper Cabinbin tallied 12 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and five steals in their debut win.

Cac added nine points, Apag had seven points—four of which came in the pivotal fourth-quarter rally—and six rebounds, while Kem Adeshina chipped in six points and four rebounds.

On the other side, Camille Claro and Snow Peñaranda each tallied nine points to pace New Zealand-Bluefire, who dropped to a 1-1 record.

Meanwhile, Galeries Tower and the University of Sto. Tomas each picked up lopsided victories to share the early lead.

The Skyrisers shut down Solar Home, holding the Suns scoreless in the entire fourth quarter on their way to a dominant 74-20 victory.

Ambie Almazan, the UAAP Season 72 and 73 MVP, starred in the Galeries’ 54-point triumph, finishing with an impressive 21 points, 16 rebounds, two assists, seven steals, and two blocks in just 20 minutes of action.

Princess Fabruada contributed 15 points, five rebounds, and three steals, while Camille Ramos and Cindy Resultay each had eight points as the Skyrisers improved their record to 2-0.

In the nightcap, the Growling Tigresses cruised to a 75-32 win over the PSP Lady Gymers, securing their second consecutive victory to start the tournament.

Freshman Karylle Sierba finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, and five steals for UST, while UAAP Season 87 Mythical Team member Kent Pastrana added 12 points, six assists, three rebounds, and two steals.

Oma Onianwa contributed eight points, 16 rebounds, three steals, and five blocks.

The Suns were led by Michelle Brenzuela and Patricia Pesquera, who scored five and four points, respectively.

For the Lady Gymers, Camille Taguiam led with 13 points and four boards, while Fatima Quiapo added 10 points and seven rebounds.

Solar Home and PSP dropped to 0-2.

The Scores:

First Game

Pilipinas Aguilas 66 – Prado 18, Cabinbin 12, Cac 9, Apag 7, Adeshina 6, Limbago 6, Guytingco 3, Padilla 3, Omopia 2, Escotido 0, Ramos 0.

New Zealand-Bluefire 55 – Claro 9, Peñaranda 9, Tchuido 6, Ahmed 6, Torres 6, Quingco 5, Sario 4, Mendoza 4, Castillo 2, Binaohan 2, Villamor 2.

Quarterscores: 17-14, 29-32, 45-48, 66-55.

Second Game

Galeries Tower 74 – Almazan 21, Fabruada 15, Ramos 8, Resultay 8, Sandel 7, Abriam 4, Manzanares 3, Lacayanga 2, Buendia 2, Bernardo 2, Vacalaeres 2, Buscar 0, Tecson 0, Cruz 0, Kone 0.

Solar Home 20 - Brenzuela 5, Pesquera 4, Go 3, Rodas 3, Generoso 2, Ferrer 2, Medina 1, Cortizano 0, Tatel 0, Batnag 0, Alba 0, Lirazan 0, Young 0, Tolentino 0.

Quarterscores: 17-14, 39-15, 52-20, 74-20.

Third Game

UST 75 – Sierba 16, Pastrana 12, Danganan 12, Onianwa 8, Bron 7, Santos 6, Ambos 4, Amatong 3, Serrano 3, Relliquette 2, Maglupay 2, Soriano 0, Tacatac 0, Pescador 0, Pineda 0.

PSP 32 – Taguiam 13, Quiapo 10, Dionisio 7, Bartolo 2, Geli 0, Larrosa 0, Buendia 0, Ventura 0, Aquino 0, Cayco 0, Cancio 0, Tolentino 0, Antonio 0, Terminal 0.

Quarterscores: 29-12, 49-17, 61-27, 75-32.