The race for the title intensifies as four teams collide in the knockout semifinals of the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Invitational Tournament today at the New Era Gym in Quezon City.

Pool B top seed University of Santo Tomas (UST) battles second seed Galeries Tower at 4 p.m., while Pool A leader Discovery Perlas clashes with No. 2 Pilipinas Aguilas at 6 p.m. in a pair of knockout duels that will determine who will advance to the finals.

Armed with a four-game winning streak, including a 63-54 win over New Zealand-Bluefire in the quarterfinals, the Growling Tigresses head into the semifinals against the Skyrisers with momentum on their side, eager to extend their run and secure a spot in the championship round.

Oma Onianwa is coming off a dominant 21-point, 14-rebound, three-block performance in the quarterfinals and is expected to lead the charge once again for UST, alongside team captain and all-around forward Kent Pastrana.

Meanwhile, fatigue could be a major factor for Galeries, following a grueling quarterfinals series against Philippine Navy that went the distance, with the Lady Sailors taking the opening game before the Skyrisers sealed the win in the deciding match.

But you can’t just count Galeries out, thanks to its veteran trio of Ambie Almazan, Cindy Resultay and Pringle Fabruada, who bring invaluable experience and leadership to the floor.

In the other semis match-up, the Perlas and the Aguilas are in for a blockbuster showdown.

The matchup between Discovery Perlas and Pilipinas Aguilas features a clash of experienced players, with both teams boasting veteran talents ready to make their mark in the semifinals.

Riding a seven-game winning streak since their opening loss in the elimination round, Perlas will look to Allana Lim, Raiza Palmera-Dy and Tantoy Ferrer for leadership, while the Aguilas will rely on Alexis Pana, Cheska Apag, and Kem Adeshina as both teams aim for a spot in the finals.

Both squads are coming off dominant quarterfinal victories, with Discovery crushing Cavite-TOL, 93-58, and the Pilipinas Aguilas overpowering Far Eastern University, 78-49.