MPBL: Quezon pummels Bulacan as Meycauayan, Pasay win
MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon Huskers overpowered the Bulacan Kuyas, 88-63, on Wednesday to extend their hot run in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Malolos Convention Center in Bulacan.
With Judel Fuentes at the helm, the Huskers led as far as 86-58 en route to their fifth straight win and a 13-2 slate in the South division, where they are the reigning back-to-back champions.
Fuentes posted 23 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals to earn Best Player honors as the Huskers moved closer to the Batangas City Tanduay Athletics (14-2) in the race for the eight division playoff slots.
"We're always ready as our coaches urge us to give everything during practices," said Fuentes. "We really need to play well and adapt as we're going up against San Juan in our next game."
High-flyer Jolo Manansala supported with 12 points, seven rebounds and two assists, followed by Cyrus Tabi with 10 points, seven assists and four rebounds; and bull-strong Cedric Manzano with 15 rebounds, nine points and three assists.
The Kuyas scored the first basket, only for the Huskers to counter with a 12-point cluster and never yield control.
Bulacan, which tumbled t0 14-3, drew 16 points, five rebounds and three assists from Jonathan Medina; 13 points, three rebounds and two assists from Benedict Benedictos; and 10 points, five rebounds and two assists from Jeremy Cruz.
Meycauayan stuns Pasig
The Meycauayan Marilao Gems pulled off a come-from-behind 105-100 stunner against Pasig in the second game thriller.
Behind, 82-96 with 2:58 left, Meycauayan Marilao bunched 16 points — 11 by Shawn Argente — to snatch its 10th win 18 starts.
Meycauayan Marilao trailed Abra Solid North (15-1), San Juan (14-1), Caloocan (17-2), Ilagan Isabela (12-6) and Pasig (9-7) in the North Division playoff race.
Argente, a 23-year-old former Jose Rizal University Heavy Bomber, finished with 30 points — spiked by five triples — and two rebounds to capture Best Player honors over Agem Miranda, who had 20 points, three rebounds and three assists.
"My coaches and my teammates give me the confidence to shoot," said Argente. "Of course, I've been practicing those shots.”
With Warlo Batac at the helm, Pasig pulled away at 94-78 with only 3:40 to go.
The Gems, however, refused to give up, and crawled out of the deep hole through Argente, Robin Nayve and Miranda, who canned the go-ahead jumper, 98-96, with 1:06 left.
Pasig's Michael Lambino canned two charities to tie the game, only for Argente to deliver a dagger three.
Batac notched 25 points, nine rebounds and two assists; Jacob Galicia 17 points, seven rebounds and two assists; Ahron Estacio 14 points, seven assists and two rebounds; and Lambino 10 points and 10 rebounds for Pasig.
Pasay trounces Negros
The Pasay Voyagers went full throttle in the second half and routed the Negros Hacienderos, 118-85, in the opener.
Held to a 38-38 count at the break, Pasay leaned on Rence Alcoriza to break away after three quarters, and Gyle Montano to post its biggest lead, 118-77, en route to an 11-9 slate.
The 6-foot Alcoriza, a former star of the Arellano Chiefs, poured in 12 of his 20 points in the third as Pasay erected a 75-55 spread from which Negros couldn't recover.
Montano tallied 17 of his 21 points in the final 10 minutes, preventing any rally by the Hacienderos, who tumbled to 1-15, the worst in the South division.
Alcoriza added five rebounds to his output and was chosen Best Player over Montano, who also had five rebounds and two steals.
"We're taking it one game at a time," said Alcoriza. "This (victory) serves as our preparation for the strong teams we still have to face."
Other Voyagers who delivered in the absence of top gunner Christian Fajarito, were Cyril Gonzales with 12 points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists; Mark Parks with 11 points, 10 rebounds and three steals; and Brian Hilario with 10 points and three rebounds.
Negros drew 21 points — spiked by five triples — two rebounds and two assists from Wilson Baltazar; 18 points, eight rebounds and three assists from Michael Alvarez; and 10 points, four assists and three rebounds from Peter Marc Manalang.
The tournament returns to the Paco Arena on Thursday, featuring games between Mindoro and Abra at 4 p.m.; Valenzuela and San Juan at 6 p.m.; and Quezon City and Zamboanga at 8 p.m. (Pool story)
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