John Abate led a balanced attack as the Quezon Huskers bounced back, while the Bataan Risers continued their climb in the 2026 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League season on Tuesday at the Quezon City District 2 Gymnasium.
Abate, a former University of the East Red Warriors skipper, scored 15 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out four assists as Quezon routed Negros, 114-70, in the first game of the day.
The Huskers dominated from start to finish, taking a 65-40 lead at halftime before pulling away further in the second half to improve to 17-4 in the South Division.
All 15 Quezon players scored, with Dom Vera adding 14 points, five assists, and three rebounds, while Jason Opiso posted 12 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists.
Joseph Penaredondo contributed 12 points, two rebounds, and two assists, while Chris Lalata added 10 points and two rebounds.
Lander Canon pulled down nine rebounds and Cholo Anonuevo had eight as the Huskers dominated the boards, 61-30, while also outscoring the Hacienderos in the paint, 54-18.
The reigning back-to-back South Division champions quickly recovered from their 67-84 loss to the Gensan Warriors last Saturday and remained within striking distance of division-leading Binan Tatak Gel, which sits at 20-4, in the race for the top four playoff spots and homecourt advantage.
Negros dropped to 2-22 despite 16 points, eight assists, and two rebounds from DJ Howe. Reymar Caduyac added 13 points, five assists, and four rebounds, while Michael Alvarez chipped in 10 points, nine rebounds, and two steals.
Bataan, meanwhile, flaunted its depth as all 15 Risers scored in a 99-78 rout of Marikina for their third straight victory.
The Risers improved to 11-13 in the North Division behind homegrown standout Yves Sazon, who paced the team with 13 points and six rebounds.
Chris Javier added 11 points, four assists, and three rebounds, while Migs Corteza and Edrian Ramirez scored nine points apiece. Robbi Darang, Carl Bringas, and Hubert Cani each contributed eight points.
Marikina fell to 7-17 despite 16-point, 10-rebound performances from Regie Boy Basibas and JR Alabanza. Deo Timajo had 14 points, six assists, and three steals, while Gjerald Wilson finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Zamboanga also won by default over Manila, 20-0, to improve to 10-12 in the South. Manila conceded its final game of the season and finished with a league-worst 1-24 record in the North.
The tournament heads to the Olivarez College Gym in Sucat, Parañaque, on Wednesday, with Cebu taking on Meycauayan at 3 p.m., Mindoro facing Quezon City at 5 p.m., and San Juan battling Parañaque at 7 p.m.
