Biñan Tatak Gel unleashed a fourth-quarter explosion to subdue Quezon Province, 83-74, on Tuesday and take Game 1 of their SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season South Division Finals at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Trailing 60-65, Biñan, powered by Kenny Rocacurva, erupted for an 18-2 run to seize control, 80-67, with two minutes and 10 seconds remaining.
Biñan will shoot for a commanding 2-0 lead in Game 2, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
Pamboy Raymundo and Michael Mabulac also came through during the decisive stretch, helping swing the momentum in favor of Biñan, which is seeking to avenge its 2-3 series loss to Quezon in last year’s South Division Finals.
Raymundo finished with 14 points, six assists, and two rebounds to earn SportsPlus Player of the Game honors, edging out Nic Cabanero, who tallied 16 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists, and Rocacurva, who contributed 14 points, three rebounds, and two steals.
Biñan coach Boyet Fernandez credited his players for their collective effort, saying the team would enjoy the victory before turning its attention to Game 2, where he expects the Quezon coaching staff to make adjustments.
(C) MPBL
The Huskers drew 14 points, six rebounds, and two assists from Cholo Anonuevo; 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists from Christian Pagarana; 10 points and six rebounds from Michael Canete; and 10 points, four rebounds, and five assists from Judel Fuentes.
Quezon also received valuable contributions from its rookies, as Ced Manzano and Jolo Manansala provided a spark off the bench.
Manzano finished with seven points and 15 rebounds, while Manansala chipped in eight points and eight rebounds to help fuel the Huskers’ fightback.
Poor free-throw shooting plagued Quezon, which converted just six of 22 attempts for 27.3 percent. Biñan, meanwhile, made 11 of 22 for 50 percent.
Biñan also held the edge from beyond the arc, knocking down 10 of 29 attempts for 34.5 percent, compared to Quezon’s eight of 27 for 29.6 percent.
Down by as many as 15 points, the Huskers mounted a late comeback behind Anonuevo, unleashing a 15-1 run to pull within a point, 34-35, at halftime.
Back-to-back triples by Cabanero had given Biñan a 34-19 advantage with three minutes and 51 seconds remaining in the second quarter.
Earlier, Renzo Subido knocked down a jumper and a three-pointer to give Biñan an 18-12 lead after the opening quarter.
