MPBL: Meycauayan, Binan, Sarangani down foes
MANILA, Philippines — Shawn Argente drilled in a lethal triple from way out with 12.3 seconds left as the Meycauayan Marilao Gems bested the Pasay Voyagers, 82-77, on Wednesday and revved up their playoff drive in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Pasay Astrodome.
That dagger 3-pointer sent the local crowd heading to the exits, with the Gems salvaging their ninth win in 16 starts and climbing to sixth place in the North Division standings of the 27-team tournament.
Agem Miranda had earlier put the Gems back in control, 79-77, following another triple with 1:39 left.
The 24-year-old Argente, a former star of the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, finished with 19 points and three rebounds and was chosen Best Player over Miranda, who had 15 points, seven assists and two rebounds.
"My killer instinct set in," said the 5-foot-9 two-way guard. "I'll be having a good night's sleep."
Homegrown Jeric Serrano supported with nine points, and so did Robin Nayve and Jayson Apolonio with seven each for the Gems, who trail the Abra Solid North Weavers (13-1), San Juan Knights (12-1), Caloocan Batang Kankaloo (14-2), Ilagan Isabela Cowboys (10-6) and Pasig City (8-6).
It was a pulsating victory for the Gems, who kept their composure after wasting a 43-29 spread late in the second quarter and allowing the Voyagers to seize control at 69-64.
Rence Alcoriza carried Pasay's offensive load in the absence of Top Gun Christian Fajarito and ended up with 26 points, five rebounds and five assists, followed by Kriss Gurtiza with 12 points, four rebounds and two assists; and Lennard Santiago, with 13 points plus five rebounds.
Binan dumps Manila
Binan Tatak Gel warmed up each quarter and torched Manila Batang Quiapo, 129-85, on Wednesday to extend its hot run to 10 and rise to 13-3.
Ahead by four points after the first quarter, Binan increased its lead at the break, 61-38, pulled away after the third, 95-69, before storming to its 10th straight win and a 13-3 card.
Binan shares fourth spot with Cebu and trails pacesetter Gensan (14-2), Batangas (13-2) and Quezon Province (10-2) in the South Division.
Nic Cabanero, the new face of the Laguna franchise, posted 20 points, highlighted by 11 in the third, four assists, four steals and three rebounds in a 16-minute, 24-second stint to capture another Best Player citation.
The 6-foot-2 Cabanero, a former star of the University of Santo Tomas Glowing Goldies, got plenty of help from Jaymar Gimpayan with 14 points and eight rebounds; Michael Mabulac, with 12 points, 11 rebounds and three assists; Kenny Roger Rocacurva with 12 points, five assists and three rebounds; and homegrown John Barba with 12 points.
"I am grateful for our veteran teammates, like Kuya Ping (Marc Pingris) and Kuya Mike (Mabulac), for guiding the other young players and me," said Cabanero.
Manila fell to 2-14 despite the 26-point, eight-rebound, four-assist effort of Mark Doligon, and the 20-point, five-rebound, two-assist output of Alfred Sedillo.
Sarangani beats Paranaque
The Sarangani 10ACT Marlins leaned on Ralph Tansingco and John Cantimbuhan to beat the Paranaque Patriots, 84-74, in the second game and improve to 3-14.
Tansingco notched 25 points — nine in the fourth quarter — 12 rebounds and two assists to capture Best Player honors over Cantimbuhan, who tallied 16 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Leland Estacio contributed 10 points plus three rebounds, while the eight other Marlins fielded scored at least two points.
Cellar-dweller Paranaque slid to 1-18 despite Jomar Santos' 15 points, Ryusei Koga's 13, Paolo Santos' 13 and James Mangahas' 10.
The tournament visits the Strike Coliseum in Bacoor, Cavite, on Thursday, featuring games between Bacolod and Cebu at 4 p.m.; Bataan and Ilagan Isabela at 6 p.m.; and San Juan and Gensan at 8 p.m. (Pool story)
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