MPBL: Caloocan, Rizal down foes
MANILA, Philippines — The Caloocan Batang Kankaloo unleashed a strong finishing kick to trounce the Bataan Risers, 100-81, on Wednesday and tighten its grip on the North Division lead in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the One Arena Cainta in Rizal Province.
Bataan moved to within 80-86, but Jeff Manday drilled in a triple to trigger a 14-1 spurt that raised Caloocan's record to 13-1, widening its gap against reigning national champion Abra Solid North (10-1) and San Juan (9-1) in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 28-team tournament.
Dom Escobar presided over Caloocan's romp with 22 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and two assists and was chosen Best Player over Manday, who tallied 18 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals.
Other Batang Kankaloo who shone were Jammer Jamito, with 14 points, nine rebounds and two assists; Chris Bitoon with 12 points, three rebounds and three assists; and Kymani Ladi with 10 points, highlighted by an alley-oop dunk that pushed Caloocan ahead, 83-72.
Jamito followed suit with a one-handed slam that sealed the outcome, 95-80, with 1:36 left.
Bataan, which skidded to 5-8, got 20 points, laced with five triples, four rebounds and two assists, from Hubert Cani; 16 points, three assists and two rebounds from Alfred Flores, 12 points, three rebounds and two assists from Tutoy Ramirez; and 11 points, six rebounds and four assists from Chris Javier.
A triple by Flores pushed Bataan ahead, 20-18, after the first quarter.
Harvey Pagsanjan bunched five points against two free throws by Robbi Darang padded Caloocan's lead to 46-35 at halftime.
Rizal bests Quezon City
In the second game, Rizal XentroMall built a big lead and used it as a buffer to subdue Quezon City, 90-80, and rise to 7-6.
JP Maguliano posted 19 points and nine rebounds for the Rizal Golden Coolers and was chosen Best Player over Billy Robles, with 13 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals.
The 6-foot-4 Maguliano, the former star of the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, drew help from Mark Yee, with 14 points, four rebounds and three assists; Billy Robles with 13 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals; Jolo Mendoza with 11 points, two assists and two rebounds; and AJ Coronel with 10 points and six rebounds.
Quezon City skidded to 7-6 despite Kobe Monje's 18 points, six rebounds and two assists; and Rey Publico, with 11 points and three rebounds.
The tournament returns to the Batangas City Complex on Thursday, featuring games between San Juan and Pasig at 4 p.m.; Marikina and Quezon Province at 6 p.m.; and Batangas and Sarangani at 8 p.m. (Pool story)
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