Skyrisers rip Patriots, secure quarters bonus

Galeries Tower grabbed the second seed in Pool B after overpowering Cavite-TOL, 77-48, to finish the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) Invitational Tournament elimination round late Wednesday at the New Era Gym.

With the victory, the Skyrisers wrapped up the eliminations with a 6-1 record, tying University of Santo Tomas and Philippine Navy.

The top-seeded Growling Tigresses and second-ranked Galeries clinched a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals due to their superior point differential while the Lady Sailors settled for the third seed.

After a quiet first half, Cindy Resultay erupted for 18 of her 20 points in the second half, fueling the Skyrisers’ second-half surge that put away the Lady Patriots for good. She also contributed two rebounds and two steals in the crucial victory.

“We showed teamwork. We allowed to shoot whoever was free,” Resultay said.

Holding a just a seven-point 36-29 lead after two quarters, Galeries turned it up a notch and outscored Cavite, 41-19, in the second half and even limited the latter to just seven points in the decider to secure the win.

Team captain Ambie Almazan recorded a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds to go along with three assists, two steals and one block, while Pringle Fabruada chipped in 10 markers and six boards for the Skyrisers.

On the other hand, despite the loss, the Lady Patriots still managed to snag the fourth seed in Pool A with a 2-5 record–good for the fourth seed.

Jordan Hawkins was the lone bright spot for Cavite with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Erika Jimenez had nine markers.

Meanwhile, also-ran EZ Jersey Relentless closed its campaign on a high note.

EZ Jersey saved its best for last, holding off Solar Home, 77-66, to snap a six-game losing streak in its final game of the tournament.

The Relentless built a lead as large as 21 points to start the fourth quarter, courtesy of a Sofia Felisarta jumper that gave them a 67-46 advantage just two seconds into the period. The Suns managed to trim the deficit to 11, but EZ Jersey held firm to secure the win.

Janeth Sison poured a team-high 20 points to go along with eight assists and five rebounds for the Relentless, who ended the Invitationals with a 1-6 record in Pool B, while Loraine Capilit added 17 points, four assists, and two rebounds.

Team captain Caryl Molina recorded 15 points, 18 boards, four assists, and two steals in the win, while Felisarta contributed 10 markers and eight rebounds.

On the other hand, Solar Home finished the tournament with a 1-6 record as well in Pool A.