Harold Alarcon led a balanced San Juan attack as the Knights clobbered the Paranaque Patriots, 145-72, on Wednesday to secure a top-four playoff berth in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season elimination phase at the Olivarez College Gym in Sucat, Paranaque.
San Juan improved to 20-3 and, with two games remaining in the regular season, can still finish anywhere from No. 1 to No. 3 in the North Division.
Alarcon paced the Knights with 17 points, while Nikko Panganiban added 16, JP Boral 15, and AC Soberano, Reyland Torres, and Kenneth Villapando 14 apiece. Jearico Nunez chipped in 12 and Terrence Fortea 11.
If San Juan beats Ilagan Isabela and Bulacan, and division leader Abra Solid North (22-2) loses to Caloocan (18-4) on Thursday, the Knights will emerge as the top qualifier, having beaten both the Batang Kankaloo and the Weavers in the elimination round.
Paranaque, which fielded only seven players, closed its campaign with a 2-23 record despite James Mangahas’ 23 points and Bryan Dela Rosa’s 21.
In the opening game of the triple-header, the Meycauayan Marilao Gems weathered a furious late rally from the Cebu Greats to escape with an 80-79 victory.
Meycauayan Marilao appeared in control at 80-73 with 4:03 remaining before going scoreless down the stretch, allowing Cebu to pull within a point.
Two free throws each by Ichie Altamirano and Limuel Tampus, sandwiched around a dunk by Mark Meneses, brought the Greats to within 80-79.
Cebu, however, could not find the go-ahead basket in the final 2:42. Altamirano missed a three-point attempt with 8.7 seconds remaining, while Tampus missed a jumper with 5.1 seconds left.
The Gems improved to 14-10 and secured the No. 4 seed and homecourt advantage in the North Division quarterfinals.
Agem Miranda led Meycauayan Marilao with 16 points, three rebounds, and three assists. Jayson Aolonio added 11 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while Robin Nayve contributed 10 points and three steals.
The Gems shot 7-of-23 from three-point range (30.4 percent), while Cebu struggled from beyond the arc, making just 2-of-17 attempts (11.8 percent).
Tampus led Cebu with 23 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks. Simon Camacho added 16 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Meneses finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.
Cebu dropped to 19-6 and remained fifth in the South Division, behind Binan (20-4), Quezon Province (17-4), Batangas (17-5), and Gensan (16-5).
In the second game, the Mindoro Tamaraws thwarted the Quezon City Black Bulls, 65-61, to improve to 13-11 and move into sole possession of seventh place in the South Division.
Veteran Bambam Gamalinda scored 22 points, including two insurance free throws with 18.1 seconds remaining, while also grabbing three rebounds and making two steals to earn best player honors.
James Tibayan added 14 points, six rebounds, and two steals for Mindoro.
Quezon City fell to 10-13 in the North Division, with Jessie Sumoda leading the Black Bulls with 10 points and five rebounds.
The MPBL resumes on Thursday at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna, with Abra and Caloocan facing off in a 5 p.m. showdown. Quezon Province takes on Basilan at 3 p.m., while Pasig City battles Binan at 7 p.m.
