MPBL: Caloocan seizes solo lead; Abra, Cebu win
MANILA, Philippines — Streaking Caloocan trounced Iloilo, 121-49, on Wednesday and grabbed the solo lead in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
Powered by Jeff Manday, the Batang Kankaloo stormed ahead, 72-34, after three quarters and continued the onslaught in the fourth to notch their seventh straight win in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 28-team tournament.
Caloocan towed Gensan (6-0) and Quezon Province (4-0) in the race for playoff berths.
Manday pooled 37 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals to run away with the Best Player award.
Jeramer Cabanag and Paul Casin posted 13 points and two rebounds each for the Batang Kankaloo, who drew eight points apiece from Dom Escobar, Eric Camson and Jammer Jamito.
"We are gaining chemistry through our practices," said Manday.
The hapless United Royals tumbled to 1-6 as only EJ Perez — with 12 points, two rebounds and two assists — and Carl Sumalacay — with 10 points, four rebounds and two assists — hit their stride.
Cebu clobbers Sarangani
The Cebu Greats sustained their climb with a 109-94 victory over the Sarangani 10ACT Marlins in the second game.
With high-flyer Mark Meneses chalking up 25 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and three blocks, Cebu cruised to its third straight win and improved its record to 5-2.
Wowie Escosio supported Meneses with 14 points and nine rebounds, and so did homegrown Kint Ariar with 13 points, three rebounds and two assists.
Other Greats who shone were Simon Camacho with nine points and 10 rebounds; Dhon Reverente with nine points and seven rebounds; and Paul Desiderio with nine points.
Sarangani, which suffered its fifth straight defeat after an initial win, drew 22 points and six rebounds from Danny Marilao; 17 points, three assists and two rebounds from Leland Estacio; 15 points, four assists and two rebounds from Yvan Ludovice; 18 rebounds and 11 points from Larce Sunga; and 11 points, three assists and two rebounds from Migs Pascual.
Abra wins as Figueroa shines in debut
Defending champion Abra Solid North fielded in coveted recruit Jake Figueroa for the first time and reaped immediate dividends with a 113-75 demolition of Imus Yangkee in the opener.
The 6-foot-3 Figueroa, who had stints with the National University Bulldogs in the UAAP and in the Korean Basketball League, posted 14 points, 11 rebounds and three assists in over 16 minutes of play to lift Abra's slate to 4-1.
Kascius Small-Martin backed Figueroa with 15 points, six assists and two steals, followed by Drex Delos Reyes with 14 points, four blocks, three rebounds and two assists; Shaun Ildefonso with 12 points and two rebounds; and homegrown Jay Yutuc with 10 points, three steals, two rebounds and two assists.
Comfortably ahead, 28-10, the Weavers padded the lead to 46-13 after an 18-3 tear — 10 by Shaun Ildefonso, who made up for the absence of his injured younger brother Dave.
Other Weavers not included in the submitted roster were Raven Gonzales, DJ Fenner and Tucker Molina.
Imus, which tumbled to 2-5, got 14 points, three assists and two rebounds from Ralph Robin; 12 points and four rebounds from Eroll Soriano; and 12 points, three assists and two steals from Janjan Salazar.
Fan bags P200,000 in Clutch Time Challenge
Meanwhile, Arvie Medillo drilled in his third half-court shot at the 45th second buzzer to win P200,000 in the SportsPlus Clutch Time Challenge held at the halftime break of the Abra-Imus tussle. Medillo said he would use the money for house needs, a small business, and education savings.
The MPBL goes to the Novadeci Sports Complex for the first time on Thursday, featuring games between Zamboanga SiKat and Pasay at 4 p.m.; Gensan and Ilagan at 6 p.m.; and host Quezon City and Valenzuela at 8 p.m. (Pool story)
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