Pacesetter Caloocan Batang Kankaloo showcased its depth in a dominant 127-91 victory over Parañaque on Monday in the 2026 MPBL Season at the Paco Arena in Manila.
All 15 Batang Kankaloo players scored at least three points, led by Rommel Calahat, as Caloocan improved to 14-1 in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 27-team tournament. The league leader built a lead of as many as 36 points en route to the lopsided win.
Calahat finished with 16 points and four rebounds to earn Best Player of the Game honors, edging teammate Kean Baclaan, who contributed 15 points, three rebounds, and two assists.
Also delivering for Caloocan, which continues to lead the North Division ahead of Abra (12-1) and San Juan (10-1), were Eric Camson with 13 points and five rebounds, and homegrown Joseph Manlangit with 10 points and five boards.
Parañaque, which dropped to 1-16, was paced by Jomar Santos with 24 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Marlon Monte added 13 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while Jobert Medina chipped in 12 points and three assists. James Mangahas tallied 11 points, four assists, and two rebounds, while John Michael Cruz finished with 10 points and eight rebounds.
In the nightcap, the Cebu Greats turned back the Quezon City Black Bulls, 74-61, to improve to 12-3 and move into solo third place in the South Division, overtaking Biñan Tatak Gel (11-3). Gensan (13-2) and Batangas (11-2) remain the top two teams in the division.
Mark Meneses once again led Cebu with 15 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, and two assists. Alvin Baetiong added 10 points and eight rebounds, while Kint Ariar also scored 10 points to go along with three rebounds.
Quezon City threatened late after Joshua Roque sank two free throws to trim the deficit to 68-61 with 3:26 remaining, but the Black Bulls failed to score the rest of the way. Cebu sealed the victory by converting six free throws in the closing minutes.
The loss dropped Quezon City to 6-8 despite Val Chauca’s 14 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Jake Agoncillo added 13 points and six rebounds, while Kobe Monje contributed 12 points and five rebounds.
(C) MPBL
In the opening game, the Pasay Voyagers bounced back with a 75-68 victory over the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys.
Christian Fajarito and Steve Nash Enriquez combined to fend off the Cowboys’ fourth-quarter rally as Pasay recovered from its 77-74 loss to Biñan Tatak Gel last Friday.
Fajarito sparked the finishing kick with a two-handed slam and a driving layup that stretched the Voyagers’ lead to 72-61. Enriquez then buried a three-pointer with 1:14 remaining to secure Pasay’s ninth win in 16 games.
Enriquez earned Best Player of the Game honors after finishing with 16 points, including a perfect 2-for-2 from beyond the arc, along with eight assists. Fajarito nearly posted a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds, while also adding three assists and three steals.
Rence Alcoriza chipped in 12 points, including six straight during Pasay’s decisive 42-25 run, along with three steals and two rebounds. Homegrown Brian Hilario added nine points and five rebounds, while Edmund Dela Cruz contributed eight points and nine boards.
The Cowboys slipped to 9-6 despite 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals from Robby Celiz. Art Dela Cruz added 16 points and seven rebounds, while Alex Cabagnot finished with 14 points, four assists, three steals, and two rebounds.
The tournament resumes Tuesday at the Ynares Sports Arena, with Bulacan taking on Rizal at 4 p.m., San Juan facing Bataan at 6 p.m., and Quezon Province meeting host Pasig at 8 p.m.
