Migs Pascual still had his head held high despite Sarangani ACT10’s heartbreaking end to its 2026 MPBL campaign.
The Marlins were within striking distance of a play-in berth but fell short, losing to Imus, 84–89, in a do-or-die game on Monday.
Sarangani had the upper hand early in the final frame, taking a 70-65 lead after Pascual knocked down a three-pointer. But Imus answered with a 10-0 run to seize control of the game.
The Marlins refused to go quietly, cutting the deficit to just one, 81-80, with 1:17 remaining.
However, Sarangani could not complete the comeback as Paul Sanga missed a pair of crucial attempts, while Imus’ Yangkee sank key free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.
“We prepared really well for this game. Alam namin kung ano yung kailangan naming gawin, and we really gave everything we had, pero hindi lang talaga namin makuha sa dulo,” Pascual said.
Pascual finished with nine points, all coming from beyond the arc, but his three-point shooting could not prevent the Marlins from suffering another narrow defeat.
For Pascual, the loss was a fitting reflection of Sarangani’s entire campaign — one full of close games that ultimately slipped away in the closing moments.
“Parang ganun talaga yung buong season namin. Ang dami naming close games, ang dami naming pagkakataon na kaya naming manalo, pero hindi lang talaga namin na-close out,” he said.
“Masakit, but that’s basketball.”
Now comes a long offseason for Pascual and the Marlins.
The young guard hopes Sarangani can eventually return with the same core intact, although he knows the nature of the MPBL means teammates can take different paths once the season ends.
“Sana makabalik kami as one, pero alam naman natin na ganun talaga sa MPBL. After the season, magkakahiwa-hiwalay din kami, may kanya-kanyang decisions and opportunities. Pero grateful pa rin ako sa lahat ng kasama ko this season,” Pascual said.
Pascual himself faces a major decision in the coming months as he weighs what’s next. Whatever path he takes, however, one thing is certain: the work continues.
“For me, the new season starts now. Hindi ako puwedeng magpahinga nang matagal. I have to keep working, improve my game, and keep getting better every day,” Pascual said.
“Whatever happens next, I’ll be ready.”
