Caloocan seized the solo lead after crushing Bacolod, 99-52, on Thursday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at One Arena Cainta in Rizal Province.
The Batang Kankaloo rolled to their sixth straight victory and moved ahead of the Gensan Warriors (5-0) in the standings of the two-division, 28-team tournament.
With all 13 players contributing, Caloocan dominated from start to finish and built a commanding 97-46 lead behind advantages in rebounds (58-28), assists (38-15), steals (12-4), and blocks (7-2). Bacolod fell to 1-5.
Touted Ateneo de Manila recruits Dom Escobar and Kymani Ladi led the way as the Batang Kankaloo controlled the contest throughout.
The 6-foot-5 Escobar finished with 21 points, highlighted by four triples, along with seven rebounds and two assists to earn Best Player of the Game honors over the 6-foot-8 Ladi, who posted 17 points, two rebounds, and two steals.
Jammer Jamito added 12 points and five rebounds, while Robby Celiz and Jeff Manday chipped in eight points apiece.
Only Ram Mesqueriola and Khenth Guiab provided resistance for Bacolod with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
(C) MPBL
Meanwhile, defending champion Abra Solid North bounced back with an 89-53 rout of Marikina in the nightcap to improve to 3-1.
Drex Delos Reyes imposed his presence inside with 16 points and eight rebounds for the Weavers, who were coming off a 66-58 loss to the San Juan Knights on May 2 that snapped their 48-game winning streak, including 10 victories in the 2026 Preseason Invitational.
Also delivering for Abra were Shaun Ildefonso with 11 points and five rebounds, while Encho Serrano with 10 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Kascius Small Martin with 10 points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals.
Reigning MVP Dave Ildefonso, who suffered an ankle injury in the loss to San Juan, and DJ Fenner did not suit up for Abra.
Marikina, which dropped to 2-4, got 13 points and seven rebounds from JR Alabanza, while Louie Vigil contributed 10 points and six rebounds.
Earlier, Warlo James Batac raced coast-to-coast and scored the game-winning layup at the buzzer to lift Pasig past Basilan, 75-73, in the opener.
The 6-foot-2 Batac, a standout from Bulacan State University, redeemed himself after an earlier turnover led to a triple by Basilan’s Neil Owens. Another Pasig turnover then allowed John Wilson to tie the game at 73-all with two free throws with 5.5 seconds remaining.
Pasig escaped despite blowing a 53-30 advantage, improving to 2-1 in the round-robin elimination phase.
Homegrown guard Jerome Galicia led Pasig with 18 points, while Jacob Galicia earned Best Player of the Game honors after tallying 16 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks.
Buenaventura Raflores added 14 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists, while Batac finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Basilan, which slipped to 3-3, drew 16 points and six rebounds from John Wilson, 12 points, six rebounds, and three steals from John Byron Villarias, and 11 points each from Joshua Marcos and former Far Eastern University standout Neil Owens.
The tournament resumes Friday at One Arena Cainta with Iloilo facing Quezon City at 4:00 PM, Sarangani taking on Pasay at 6:00 PM, and Imus battling Cebu at 8:00 PM.
