Highly-touted Pilipinas Aguilas will face the New Zealand-Bluefire in their debut game in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) today at the New Era Central Recreation and Fitness Center in Quezon City.

Game time is at 4 p.m. with the Aguilas tipped to go all out to test their deep roster in this 14-team league put up by MPBL chairman and founder Manny Pacquiao.

Anchored by the core of Adamson University, which finished third in the recently-concluded University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 87 women’s basketball tournament, the Aguilas have assembled a roster filled with stars.

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 Filipino-Hawaiian forward who previously played in the EuroCup for CS Universitatea Cluj and Kibirkstis Vilnius.

Despite the high expectations surrounding the team, Aguilas 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,” said Monteclaro, who will be assisted by Eric Altamirano and supported by analytics guru Paolo Layug as team manager.

“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.”

Meanwhile, the Valkyries are looking to go 2-0.

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 are the Galeries Tower and the University of Santo Tomas.

The Skyrisers will face the Solar Home Suns at 6 p.m., while the University of Santo Tomas 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.