Valenzuela, Ilagan Isabela chalk up MPBL wins
MANILA, Philippines — The Valenzuela City Darkhorse subdued the Manila Batang Quiapo, 108-98, in coast-to-coast fashion on Tuesday to continue their recovery in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Paco Arena in Manila.
With six players scoring in double figures, Valenzuela led as far as 34-13 before cruising to their third straight win after two initial losses in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 28-team tournament.
Shaquille Alanes, former star of the Lyceum Pirates, posted 29 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals to clinch the Best Player award and become the newest member of the MPBL 1,000-point club.
Veteran Jay Collado supported with 14 points, 11 rebounds and two assists, followed by Lester Reyes with 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocks; Geremy Robinson with 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists; Nico Mamaradlo with 11 points, six rebounds and three assists; and JR Olegario with 11 points, six rebounds and two assists.
The Darkhorses dominated the shaded lane, 65-47, and outscored the Batang Quiapo, 15-2, early in the fourth quarter to pull away at 96-76 and drag Manila down to 1-4.
Manila got 27 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals from Joe Gomez De Liano; 17 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals rom John Ashley Faa; and 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists from Redgimir Eusebio.
Ilagan Isabela foils Zamboanga
Ilagan Isabela repelled Zamboanga Sikat's repeated rallies and won, 81-77, in the second game to climb to 4-1, trailing only Caloocan and Gensan, both 5-0, and Quezon Province (3-0) in the standings.
Arth Dela Cruz led the Cowboys to their fourth straight victory with 20 points — 12 in the first half — and eight rebounds and was named the Best Player.
Zamboanga crept to within 75-77 with 15.3 seconds left following back-to-back quick baskets by Paeng Are.
Cowboy Joshua Guiab, however, showed composure under pressure, sinking four charities against a lay-up by John Mahari in the last 7.5 seconds to defuse the comeback.
Bulacan beats Sarangani
The Bulacan Kuyas beat the Sarangani 10ACT Marlins, 80-76, in the opener.
Carl Ibe canned two charities with 7.5 seconds left as the Kuyas checked a three-game slide and climbed to 2-3.
Gabriel Espinosa tallied 20 points, 12 rebounds and four assists to earn Best Player honors over Jeremy Cruz with 18 points and five assists; Andrei Acop, with 17 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals; and Ibe with 10 points plus two rebounds for homegrown-laden Bulacan.
Bulacan bundled six points opening the fourth quarter to break free from Sarangani, which skidded to 1-3 despite Lars Sunga's 22 points, 14 rebounds and two assists; and Leland Estacio's 15 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks.
Other Marlins who delivered were Carl Bryan Lacap with 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals; and Yvan Ludovice with 12 points, 10 assists, three rebounds and two steals.
The MPBL returns to the One Arena Cainta on Wednesday, featuring games between Binan and Batangas at 4 p.m.; Meycauayan and Negros at 6 p.m.; and Rizal and Mindoro at 8 p.m. (Pool story)
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