Berberabe is Changing the Game as Tagaytay ’Tol’s Rising Star

On a humid August night in Batangas City, something extraordinary happened. In front of a charged-up crowd, Stef Berberabe, a 5’4″ dynamo for the Tagaytay ‘Tol Patriots, quietly made basketball history. Her stat line was surreal: 20 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 steals. A quadruple-double. The first by a Filipina in professional basketball.

What made the performance even more electrifying was its context. It wasn’t a blowout or a meaningless game. The Patriots had started the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) season 0–4. They were fighting for momentum, pride, and their place in a young league still finding its identity. Berberabe’s performance didn’t just lift the team to a win over Pangasinan–Solar Home. It made people stop and pay attention.

“Honestly, during the game I was just locked in on winning,” Berberabe says. “I wasn’t thinking about stats or making history. I was just focused on doing whatever my team needed to get that win.”

It wasn’t just the numbers — it was the energy, the poise, the timing. The performance followed a triple-double the week before. Suddenly, the 23-year-old guard wasn’t just playing basketball — she was establishing herself as a key protagonist in the early infancy of the WMPBL.

“I carry my family, my team, and my community with me every time I step on the court,” she said in an exclusive interview. “It’s more than just basketball for me. I play with no regrets and leave it all out on the court.”

Stef Berberabe’s journey is about more than talent. It’s about why she plays. The daughter of Filipino immigrants and a former Westmont College star in the U.S., Stef could’ve chosen a different path. But she saw something bigger: the opportunity to help build something new in the Philippines.

“I hope young Filipinas see that it’s possible,” she says. “You can play this game with pride, with power, and with grace — and still be true to yourself. You don’t have to fit into anyone else’s mold to be great.”

This message resonates with a generation of girls who are starting to have more visible Filipina basketball role models. In leagues where women’s games can sometimes have difficulty to gain exposure, Berberabe is bringing belief — and excellence—front and center.

The Tagaytay ‘Tol Patriots are more than just a franchise. They’re a vision come to life — one that started with a bold bet by former Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino. Now led operationally by his son, Patrick Andrei Tolentino, the team has emerged as a flagship for the WMPBL, the Philippines’ first professional women’s basketball league.

Patrick sees Berberabe’s breakout as both a turning point and a validation.

“Her quadruple-double performance was truly remarkable. It represented not just a milestone for the team but also for Philippine women’s basketball as a whole,” he says. “It instilled greater confidence in her teammates and coaches alike.”

He’s candid about how his own thinking has evolved.

“When I was younger, I wasn’t the most active supporter of women’s basketball,” he admits. “But I’ve been inspired by stories like Caitlin Clark, Kobe Bryant’s support for Gigi, and now, we’ve witnessed Stef Berberabe achieve something historic. Exciting times lie ahead.”

The Patriots aren’t operating in isolation. Women’s sports in the Philippines are having a breakthrough moment. From Hidilyn Diaz winning the country’s first Olympic gold to the national football team reaching the Women’s World Cup, to tennis phenom Alex Eala making international waves — Filipina athletes are rewriting the narrative.

“These inspiring stories are a testament to the immense talent and potential of Filipina athletes,” says Tolentino. “They remind us why investing in and supporting our female athletes matters.”

He’s clear about the vision for the Patriots:

“Our long-term vision is to create an environment where Filipina athletes feel empowered to pursue their dreams, showcase their talents, and break barriers. We aim to inspire future generations to aim high and achieve greatness.”

What makes the Patriots unique isn’t just the talent on the floor—it’s the culture off it. The team is run like a family, literally and philosophically. The Tolentino family is deeply embedded in operations, from strategy to morale-building. According to Patrick, that structure is intentional.

“Our family-oriented culture fosters unity, respect, and collaboration both on and off the court,” he says. “Our team-building activities, our shared experiences—these shape how we play and how we grow together.”

And that energy is contagious. Berberabe says the chemistry is what sets this team apart.

“The culture here is built on trust, unity, and shared passion,” she says. “Everyone plays their role selflessly. We lift each other up. Our coaches and management foster a growth mindset where we’re constantly learning and improving.”

This isn’t just rhetoric. The Patriots retained only seven players from their debut season and adapted to a new coaching staff. Despite those challenges, the team is climbing and finding its rhythm. And at the heart of it is a shared belief in the bigger mission.

The WMPBL is in its infancy, with only six teams in competition. The league faces challenges — funding, media coverage, and long-term infrastructure among them. But Tolentino sees more opportunity than limitation.

“The players in the WMPBL are ready to craft their narratives in the sports world,” he says. “We must seize this moment to ensure we’re not left behind.”

Berberabe echoes the same urgency.

“My short-term goal is to help this team reach the top of the league,” she says. “But beyond that, I want to elevate the visibility and respect for the women’s game. Whether it’s through mentoring younger players or supporting grassroots programs, I hope to leave the game better than I found it.”

Her dream? To represent the Philippines internationally and show the world that Filipina athletes can compete at the highest level.

“If I can help open that door even a little wider, then I’ve already won.”

Tolentino hopes that the Patriots will be remembered not just for their wins, but for their role in changing the ecosystem of Philippine basketball.

“Ten years from now, I hope people will remember the Patriots as a pioneering force,” he says. “We want to unlock the full potential of Filipina basketball players and compete on international platforms. We hope our contributions will be seen as foundational to a brighter future.”

If Berberabe’s performance was the spark, the Patriots are building the fire. And in doing so, they’re showing that the future of Philippine basketball won’t just be written in men’s box scores — but in the stories of women who play with purpose, pride, and power.

Read more WMPBL coverage from ALL-STAR here.