Underdogs RK Hoops, Biñan seek semifinal upsets in WMPBL

The stage is set for a pair of intriguing semifinal showdowns as RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT and Biñan-Tatak Gel look to upset the top two seeds when the 2026 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) semifinals begin Sunday at the Parañaque Coliseum.

RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT opens the best-of-three semifinal series against top-seeded Akari-Rizal at 4 p.m., while third-seeded Biñan-Tatak Gel takes on defending champion and No. 2 seed Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire at 6 p.m. in the tournament supported by Aktive.

Although both squads enter as underdogs, they are confident they have the pieces to challenge the league's heavyweights.

"They're the number one team, so mataas ang respeto namin sa kanila," said RK Hoops head coach Bonnie Garcia after his team booked a semifinal berth with a hard-fought 53-49 victory over No. 5 seed Pasig in the quarterfinals.

RK Hoops dropped both elimination-round meetings against Akari-Rizal, absorbing an 84-50 defeat in the first round before falling again, 89-72, in the rematch. Still, Garcia believes his squad has grown since those setbacks.

The Quezon City-based club reached the semifinals despite playing without star forward Tantoy Ferrer, relying on Jeorge Panti, Ann Dampios, Iris Isip, and the rest of the supporting cast to get past Pasig. With Ferrer expected to return, Garcia hopes a complete lineup can finally push the Sparks to the limit.

"We will challenge them. I-cha-challenge namin sila and we'll see what happens. Basta kung complete naman kami, lumalaban kami and nagiging positive naman ang nangyayari," Garcia said.

Akari-Rizal enters the series as the tournament favorite behind veterans Allana Lim, Raiza Palmera-Dy, Mar Prado, and Janine Pontejos, but the Sparks remain wary of an opponent playing with renewed confidence.

"Yung effort na maglaro kami as a whole team, as a unified team, together, 'yun ang iko-continue namin papunta sa semis. Tatrabahuhin namin 'yun para makuha namin 'yung ultimate goal na mag-champion this season," Lim said.

The second semifinal features Biñan-Tatak Gel, which earned its place after eliminating Caloocan, 87-74, in the quarterfinals.

The Angels have already shown they can beat the defending champions, handing Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire its first elimination-round defeat, 83-79, before the Valkyries responded with a 92-85 victory in their second meeting.

Head coach Jack Azcueta knows repeating that feat in a playoff series will be an even tougher challenge.

"Knowing coach Cholo and Batangas, alam naman natin na sobrang established na nila, pero susubok kami. Susubukan naming maulit 'yung elimination-round win namin laban sa kanila," Azcueta said.

"Ang importante, paghahandaan namin ang serye at sisiguraduhin naming mahihirapan ang kalaban anuman ang maging resulta."

Biñan will once again lean on Luisa San Juan, Monique Del Carmen, Chack Cabinbin, Eka Soriano, and Ara Abaca, who have been instrumental in the team's breakthrough campaign.

Standing in their way is a battle-tested Batangas squad led by reigning MVP Afril Bernardino, together with Khate Castillo and Snow Peñaranda.

With a Finals berth on the line, the favorites will look to justify their lofty billing, while the challengers aim to continue their Cinderella runs by drawing first blood in the semifinals.