MPBL: Chauca hits game-winning trey as Quezon City escapes Basilan
MANILA, Philippines — Val Chauca quickly proved his worth for the Quezon City Black Bulls Thursday night.
The Filipino-Peruvian recruit knocked in a triple with 6.3 seconds left to lift Black Bull past the Basilan Steel, 83-80, in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Basilan got two chances to force overtime, but veterans John Wilson and Jervy Cruz missed hurried triple attempts from the corner, respectively, allowing Quezon City to raise its record to 7-5 in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 28-team tournament.
The 31-year-old Chauca, a former Adamson Soaring Falcon acquired from the Valenzuela City Darkhorse, chalked up 20 points, five assists and four rebounds to capture Best Player honors over Jake Agoncillo, who carded 10 points and four rebounds in the tight game that saw neither team lead in double figures.
Trailing, 61-70, the Black Bulls unleashed a 17-6 run, capped by a Wilson triple, to seize control, 78-76, with 3:37 left.
Basilan, still searching for cohesion with the inclusion of five players, skidded to 5-7.
Wilson finished with 22 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals, newcomer Mark Sangco pooled 14 points, eight rebounds and two assists, and Cruz notched 13 points and five rebounds.
The other Basilan newcomers were Kenneth Mocon (5 points), Jan Jamon (5), Ralph Robin (4) and Mac Tallo (0).
Pasig, Bataan prevail
Pasig City ripped Rizal XentroMall, 92-65, in the opener, while Bataan thumped Bacolod, 113-62, in the second game.
Drilling in 18 triples, the Bataan Risers led as far as 113-62 en route to a 5-7 card.
Gary David paced Bataan with 16 points, spiked by four triples, four assists and two rebounds, followed by Chito Jaime with 13 points, laced by three triples, and four rebounds; Hance Lleva with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists; Robbi Darang with 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals; and Alex Ramos, with 11 points plus seven rebounds.
Bacolod tumbled to 3-11 as only Ian Melencio struck back with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.
Powered by Warlo Batac, Ahron Estacio and Jerome Garcia, Pasig led for the start, pulled away at halftime, 55-30, and never wavered for a 7-3 record.
High-flyer Michael Lambino, a prized find from the University of Luzon Golden Tigers, took over in the second half, where Pasig led as far as 92-62 in the homestretch.
Lambino posted 20 points and 11 rebounds and was chosen Best Player over Batac, with 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals; Estacio with 15 points, three assists, two rebounds and two steals; and Jerald Bautista, with 11 points and two rebounds.
Rizal fell to 6-5 as only Jolo Mendoza hit double figures with 14 points, followed by Joel Lee Yu and Mark Yee with 9 each.
The MPBL returns to the One Arena Cainta on Friday, featuring games between Paranaque and Imus at 4 p.m.; Iloilo and Marikina at 6 p.m.; and Meycauayan and Abra at 8 p.m. (Pool story)
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