Pontejos to power CEU in WMPBL debut

Games today:

(Ynares Sports Arena)

4 p.m. — Galeries Tower vs CEU

6 p.m. — San Juan vs Solar Home

Gilas Pilipinas Women sharpshooter Janine Pontejos aims to steer reigning Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (WNCAA) champion Centro Escolar University (CEU) to a strong debut in the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League today at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

CEU takes on Galeries Tower at 4 p.m. as the Scorpions look to join the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses, the Imus Sis-VBL Lady Magdalo, and the New Zealand-Bluefire Valkyries as early leaders in the inaugural season of the league.

Pontejos, who became the head coach of her alma mater CEU last year, is fresh off guiding the Scorpions to the WNCAA title last month, where they swept University of Makati in the best-of-three finals.

Key players for CEU include lanky guard Jiyan Ferolino, versatile winger Jessica Mahusay, and powerhouse center Dorie Montecalbo.

However, the Scorpions face a formidable challenge against the Galeries Skyrisers, a team bolstered by two-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines Most Valuable Player Analyn Almazan.

The Ai Lebornio-coached Skyrisers also feature reinforcements from the University of the East Lady Warriors, adding depth to their roster in this tournament supported by Manny Pacquiao, Senator Francis Tolentino and the MPBL Partylist.

In the evening’s 6 p.m. matchup, the San Juan Lady Knights will clash with the Solar Home Suns.

The Lady Knights are led by a star-studded lineup featuring former UST Tigress Jhenn Angeles, De La Salle University Lady Archer Ara Abaca, Ateneo Blue Eagle LJ Miranda, and National University Lady Bulldog Annick Edimo Tiky.

On the other hand, the Suns, under the guidance of coach Iris Isip, boast a strong squad highlighted by former Ateneo Blue Eagle Jollina Go and ex-Fighting Maroon Pesky Pesquera.