Sparks Hold Off Angels, One Win From Semifinals

Akari-Rizal moved a step closer to securing an outright semifinals berth after narrowly defeating Biñan-Tatak Gel, 52-48, in the 2026 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) on Wednesday at Hoops Haven in Pasay City.

The victory gave the Sparks solo control of the standings with a 7-1 record, leaving them just one win away from clinching the first automatic semifinals slot.

Akari-Rizal withstood a late surge from the Angels, sparked by Monique Del Carmen and Luisa San Juan, who cut a nine-point deficit of 42-51 to just three, 48-51, with 20 seconds left. Del Carmen then had to foul Mar Prado intentionally, and Prado’s split free throws sealed the game for the Sparks.

“Well, I think we didn’t have a good offensive night today. We shot around 31 percent from the field. But our defense really held up tonight,” said Sparks head coach Derrick Pumaren. “Our defense negated their offense, and that’s why we won the game.”

Allana Lim led Akari-Rizal with 14 points and nine rebounds, while Prado and LJ Candelario contributed 10 points each. Janine Pontejos added seven points in her second game for the Sparks, and despite a quiet offensive night with four points on 2-of-8 shooting, Raiza Palmera-Dy contributed seven assists and six rebounds.

Biñan-Tatak Gel fell to 5-3 but remained in third place. Del Carmen paced the Angels with 15 points, three rebounds, and three assists, while San Juan added 10 points.