Afril Bernardino

Afril Bernardino
No. 13 – Batangas New Zealand Bluefire
PositionForward
LeagueWMPBL
Personal information
Born (1996-04-03) April 3, 1996
Listed height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Listed weight139 lb (63 kg)
Career information
CollegeNU
Playing career2018–present
Career history
2018–2019Valkyrie Hatchers
2025Philippine Navy
2025-presentBatangas New Zealand Bluefire
Career highlights
Medals
Women's basketball
Philippines
SEABA Championship
Gold medal – first place2016 Malacca CityTeam
SEA Games
Gold medal – first place2019 PhilippinesTeam
Gold medal – first place2021 HanoiTeam
Gold medal – first place2025 BangkokTeam
Silver medal – second place2023 Phnom PenhTeam
Women's 3x3 basketball
Asia Cup
Silver medal – second place2026 SingaporeTeam
SEA Games
Gold medal – first place2019 PhilippinesTeam
Silver medal – second place2023 Phnom PenhTeam

Afril Ornedo Bernardino[1] (born April 3, 1996) is a Filipino professional basketball player. She also represents the Philippine national team in international competitions.[2]

College career

She played for the NU Lady Bulldogs, the women's team of the National University (NU), in the UAAP from Seasons 75 to 79. She has been included in the Mythical Team from Season 76-79. In 2014, she led National University to its first UAAP women's basketball championship bagging her first MVP award in Season 77. In 2015, Bernardino was named the Most Valuable Player and Finals MVP in the UAAP Season 78 women's basketball tournament.[3] In her final year, she was named the Most Valuable player leading NU to its 3rd straight championship and also won and became champions of the inaugural UAAP women's 3x3 basketball competition. She has consumed all her playing years in UAAP by 2017 after competing at UAAP Season 79[4]

Professional career

After college, Bernardino joined the Malaysian Women's Basketball League in 2018[5][6] and played as an import for the Valkyrie Hatchers.[7]

Bernardino considered joining the Women's National Basketball League through the 2021 draft but her affiliation with the Philippine Navy rendered her ineligible.[8]

Philippine Navy Lady Sailors

Bernardino was part of the Philippine Navy Lady Sailors of the Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL).[9] She won the MVP award for the 2025 Invitational Tournament.[10]

Batangas New Zealand Blufire

Bernardino moved to Batangas New Zealand Blufire helping the team win the inaugural 2025 WMPBL professional season.[11] She won the MVP award once again.[12] New Zealand Blufire finished as runners-up for the 2026 season although she was named as season MVP once again.[13][14][15]

National team career

She has represented the Philippines in international basketball competitions such as the 2015 FIBA Asia Women's Championship, the 2015 Southeast Asian Games, and the 2016 SEABA Championship. Team Philippines won their first-ever women's basketball championship at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games held in the Philippines. Also winning gold in the 3x3 women's basketball tourney along with Jack Animam, Janine Pontejos and Clare Castro.

Bernardino is also part of the national 3x3 team which competed for the Philippines at the 2018 FIBA 3x3 World Cup.[16] Bernardino helped the team win a silve medal at the 2026 FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup where she was also named part of the Women's Team of the Tournament.[17][18]

Personal life

Bernardino has finished the Sailor Basic Course as part of Mahitala (Mandaragat na Hinubog ng Talino at Lakas) Class 22, 23, 24, and 25 with the Philippine Navy.[19]

References

  1. ↑ "Masterlist of Eligible National Athletes & Coaches for Benefits (as of 07 June 2022)" (PDF). Philippine Sports Commission. p. 3. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Afril Bernardino's Profile". FIBA Archive. FIBA. Archived from the original on August 30, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  3. ↑ Terrado, Reuben (July 21, 2017). "National University star Afril Bernardino wins MVP title in UAAP 78 women's basketball". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  4. ↑ "NU belles start title-retention bid vs Ateneo". Tempo. June 23, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  5. ↑ Leongson, Randolph (June 30, 2020). "Long before Thirdy, Lim and Bernardino have proven worth in overseas leagues". Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Fiesty Filipina Afril Bernardino has inspiring words for the next wave of female ballers". FIBA.basketball. July 27, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  7. ↑ Micaller, Bea (January 8, 2020). "Women's 3×3 tilt looms". Daily Tribune. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  8. ↑ Dannug, Jonash (January 28, 2025). "Afril Bernardino dreams of WMPBL as haven for Filipina players". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  9. ↑ Dannug, Jonash (January 27, 2025). "Afril Bernardino powers Navy to dominant debut in WMPBL". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Navy's Afril Bernardino named first-ever WMPBL MVP". ABS-CBN News. April 20, 2025. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  11. ↑ Dannug, Jonash (November 16, 2025). "New Zealand Bluefire sweeps way to inaugural WMPBL crown". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  12. ↑ Dannug, Jonash (November 16, 2025). "Afril Bernardino continues to make history, hailed WMPBL's first pro MVP". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  13. ↑ Dannug, Jonash (April 15, 2026). "Bernardino set for WMPBL 2026 debut as Batangas-NZ Bluefire takes on Biñan-Tatak Gel". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
  14. ↑ Dannug, Jonash (July 12, 2026). "Afril Bernardino claims historic third straight WMPBL MVP". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Akari-Rizal dethrones Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire to capture first WMPBL crown". Tiebreaker Times. July 15, 2026. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  16. ↑ Li, Matthew (April 29, 2018). "Afril Bernardino headlines Philippine 3×3 World Cup team". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Australia and New Zealand win FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2026". FIBA. April 5, 2026. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
  18. ↑ Li, Matthew (April 5, 2026). "Afril Bernardino earns All-3x3 Asia Cup team nod". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Gilas women gets needed boost as Navy graduates Bernardino, Tongco return to national team". The Philippine Star. March 1, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.