Bernardino secures third straight MVP crown after dominant WMPBL season

Afril Bernardino continues to reign supreme in the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL)e after claiming her third consecutive Most Valuable Player award following another standout season with the Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire.

Bernardino led the MVP race with 401 statistical points, highlighted by 146 points, 103 rebounds, 35 assists, 30 steals, and 18 blocks, while committing only 11 turnovers. Her all-around performance helped the defending champions return to the WMPBL Finals.

The recognition marked Bernardino's second MVP award during the league's professional era after winning the inaugural professional season honor in 2025, and her third overall after also being named Invitational Tournament MVP earlier that year.

Her dominance was also evident defensively, as she captured Defensive Player of the Year honors after leading the league in both steals and blocks.

Joining Bernardino in the Mythical Five were Akari-Rizal's Allana Lim, her Batangas-New Zealand teammate Snow Peñaranda, Monique Del Carmen of Biñan-Tatak Gel, and Tantoy Ferrer of RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT.

Lim placed second in the MVP race with 333 statistical points after producing 154 points, 67 rebounds, 23 assists, 10 steals, and four blocks while helping Akari-Rizal reach the WMPBL Finals for the second straight season.

Peñaranda ranked third with 308 statistical points, posting 140 points, 81 rebounds, 23 assists, five steals, and three blocks. Del Carmen followed in fourth with 305 statistical points behind a stat line of 138 points, 60 rebounds, 27 assists, 14 steals, and seven blocks.

Ferrer completed the Mythical Five after finishing fifth with 302 statistical points. She recorded 148 points, 99 rebounds, 31 assists, 19 steals, and five blocks while guiding RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT to its first-ever semifinal appearance.

Meanwhile, Akari-Rizal forward Mar Prado was recognized as Rookie of the Year after making an immediate impact in her first WMPBL professional season.

Prado ranked seventh overall in statistical points with 290, leading all rookies by a wide margin over Biñan-Tatak Gel's Eka Soriano, who finished with 238 statistical points.

Pasig's Lee Sario completed the individual award winners, earning Most Improved Player honors after placing 12th overall with 203 statistical points.