Caloocan Batang Kankaloo pulled away with a dominant fourth-quarter performance to rout Imus Yangkee, 122-90, on Monday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at One Arena Cainta in Rizal Province.
Holding a 12-point lead entering the final period, the Batang Kankaloo unleashed a decisive 20-8 run to stretch the margin to 115-83 and seal their 15th win in 17 games in the round-robin elimination phase of the 27-team tournament.
Caloocan remained in third place in the North Division behind defending champion Abra Solid North (14-1) and San Juan (13-1) in the race for the top four playoff spots.
The Batang Kankaloo overcame a sluggish start after trailing 21-18 at the end of the first quarter. Kean Baclaan sparked the turnaround with 15 second-quarter points, helping Caloocan take a commanding 53-42 halftime lead.
The former De La Salle Green Archer finished with 21 points, five assists, and three rebounds. Kymani Ladi, a former Ateneo Blue Eagle, added 13 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks.
“We really need to raise our level of play because there are tougher games ahead,” said Baclaan, referring to Caloocan’s matchup against Cebu on Thursday at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.
Dom Escobar chipped in 11 points, three rebounds, and three assists, while Jammer Jamito contributed 10 points and five rebounds. Ronnie Matias anchored the paint with six points and a game-high 19 rebounds.
Imus dropped to 2-15 despite Janjan Salazar’s 28 points, five steals, three rebounds, and three assists, as well as Jaypee Belencion’s 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
In the second game, Warlo Batac delivered another clutch basket as Pasig City edged Valenzuela City, 102-100.
Just as he did against Mindoro on July 6, Batac attacked the basket in the closing seconds, spinning through the defense before scoring the game-winning layup with 0.16 seconds remaining to lift Pasig to a 9-6 record.
Batac nearly recorded a triple-double with 21 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and two steals. Jacob Galicia added 20 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks, while Jerome Garcia finished with 23 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
(C) MPBL
JR Raflores contributed 15 points, while John Felix Corpuz added 10 points, five rebounds, and two assists as Pasig erased an 87-95 deficit with 4:04 left to steal the victory.
Valenzuela slipped to 8-10 despite 19 points from JR Olegario, 18 points and 12 rebounds from CJ Alattica, 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals from Geremy Robinson, and 14 points with six assists from Shaq Alanes.
In the opener, the Marikina Shoemasters weathered a late Bacolod Maskarras rally to escape with a 107-100 victory.
The Shoemasters appeared headed for a comfortable win after taking a 95-86 lead before Desmond Price erupted for 11 straight points, including three three-pointers, to pull Bacolod within 99-97 with 1:34 remaining.
Marikina stayed composed down the stretch, scoring the game’s final eight points around another Price triple to improve to 7-11.
Jason Strait ignited the Shoemasters in the third quarter, scoring 14 of his 18 points to turn a 54-52 halftime deficit into an 81-72 advantage. He also grabbed five rebounds and dished out three assists.
“After the halftime huddle, the coaches told us to come out and fight harder. I’m thankful to my teammates and coaches for trusting me,” said Strait.
Jordan Sta. Ana also delivered an all-around effort with 14 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and four steals, while JR Alabanza posted a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds to go with two blocks. Jethro Escoto added 21 points, four steals, two rebounds, and two assists, while Regie Boy Basibas contributed 15 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists.
Price, who was acquired from Batangas during the trading window, finished with a game-high 36 points on seven three-pointers, along with six assists and four rebounds for Bacolod, which fell to 3-17.
Rafael Go added 13 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists, Ram Mesqueriola had 11 points and eight rebounds, while Emman Galman and Jeremy Monton chipped in 10 points apiece.
The tournament shifts to the Navotas Convention Center on Tuesday, with Meycauayan facing San Juan at 4 p.m., Quezon taking on Bataan at 6 p.m., and Zamboanga battling Sarangani at 8 p.m.
