Eka Soriano shines in WMPBL debut as Biñan-Tatak Gel rolls past RK Hoops-QC

Biñan-Tatak Gel turned to a decisive fourth-quarter surge to break the game wide open and dispatch RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT, 66-46, for a rousing start in the 2026 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) regular season on Sunday at the Alonte Sports Arena.

The Angels unleashed a fiery 14-0 run midway through the final canto, turning a 50-42 edge into a commanding 64-42 cushion with 2:02 left to play. That effectively put the game out of reach while they snuffed out any late RK Hoops-QC rally to close out a dominant finish.

(C) WMPBL Images

“Siguro ano, blessed kami na nakuha namin ‘yung unang panalo. Kasi, to be honest, parang isang tuneup game pa lang kami tapos ito pa lang ‘yung… Kumbaga parang pangalawang game namin as a team,” said Biñan-Tatak Gel head coach Jack Azcueta.

“Pero nakapag-practice naman kami ng six weeks. Pero ‘yun nga, parang ito pa lang ‘yung pangalawang game nila na magkakasama. Blessed lang kami na nakuha namin ‘yung panalo,” he added.

Eka Soriano took charge offensively for the Angels with 20 points to go with five rebounds. Meanwhile, Monique Del Carmen — who scored seven points in the team’s decisive 14-0 run in the fourth — finished with a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds to go along with two blocks.

Chack Cabinbin scattered eight points, eight assists, four rebounds, and three steals. Then Claudine Santos and Danica Pacia each chipped in six markers in Biñan-Tatak Gel’s opening-day win in the tourney backed by Aktive.

The Angels capitalized on RK Hoops-QC’s 26 turnovers, turning those miscues into 27 points while also tightening the screws defensively, as they controlled the tempo and denied any sustained rhythm from their opponents down the stretch.

(C) WMPBL Images

Meanwhile, Faith Panti led the Quezon City-based crew with 10 points as RK Hoops-QC absorbed its 10th straight defeat dating back to last season.

No player from RK Hoops-QC finished in double figures as the team struggled offensively. New acquisition Tantoy Ferrer remains unavailable following a call-up to Gilas 3×3 for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup qualifiers in Singapore.

Stiff Larrosa added nine points, while Fatima Quiapo chipped in seven in the losing effort.

The Scores:

Biñan-Tatak Gel (66) – Soriano 20, Del Carmen 11, Cabinbin 8, Pacia 6, Santos 6, San Juan 5, Domingo 4, Abaca 2, Nabalan 2, Faraon 2, Quingco 0, Geli 0, Gonato 0, Yamada 0, Paraiso 0

RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT (46) – F. Panti 10, Larosa 9, Quiapo 7, Antonio 5, Molina 5, Cayco 4, Docallos 2, Buendia 2, H. Panti 1, Isip 1, Dela Cruz 0, Young 0, Dampios 0, Alcantara 0

Quarterscores: 17-17, 30-26, 45-38, 66-46