Nic Cabanero’s homecoming stole the show as Biñan Tatak Gel staged a furious late comeback to stun the Cebu Greats, 78-77, on Thursday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season before a jampacked crowd at Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.
Trailing by eight points with 4:07 remaining, Biñan unleashed a decisive 12-3 closing run to extend its winning streak to 12 games and improve to 14-3 in the round-robin elimination phase of the 27-team tournament.
Carlo Lastimosa sparked the rally with four points in the final three minutes, including the game-winning basket. Jaymar Gimpayan and Pamboy Raymundo chipped in three points apiece during the stretch, while Cabanero added two crucial points.
Kenny Rocacurva earned Best Player honors after finishing with 19 points, seven rebounds, five steals, and two assists in 28 minutes and 49 seconds.
“We just played our game and cope up with Cebu’s defense,” said Rocacurva, a Cebuano from San Francisco, Camotes Islands.
Cabanero finished with 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists in his return to Cebu, while Lastimosa and Gimpayan each scored 12 points. The victory allowed Biñan to catch Gensan in the standings and move closer to South Division leaders Batangas City (14-2) and Quezon Province (12-2).
Cebu slipped to 14-4 despite Jun Manzo’s 23-point effort, highlighted by five three-pointers, along with two assists. Mark Meneses nearly posted a triple-double with 13 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, three blocks, and two steals.
In the first game, Batangas City Tanduay Athletics pulled away from Basilan Steel for an 87-71 victory after using a decisive 19-4 run sparked by Rhinwill Yambing and Ino Comboy to secure their 12th straight win.
Jhan Nermal led Batangas with 23 points, including three triples, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals to earn Best Player honors. Comboy added 19 points, five three-pointers, four assists, and three rebounds, while Yambing contributed 11 points and two rebounds. Kraniel Viloria chipped in eight points and four rebounds.
“Our focus is really on defense and to execute our plays,” Nermal said. “We’re not thinking about being No. 1, but our coming games.”
Basilan, which dropped to 8-10, was led by Neil Owens with 12 points, John Wilson with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and two steals, and Gab Cometa with nine points and five assists.
Cebu will look to bounce back on Saturday when it faces Caloocan at 8 p.m. at the Cebu Coliseum. Mindoro and Zamboanga SiKat will open the doubleheader at 5 p.m., after which the MPBL will honor Cebuano basketball greats who have made significant contributions to the sport.
Four-time PBA Most Valuable Player Ramon Fernandez headlines the 21 honorees who will receive plaques of recognition. Also set to be recognized are Bonel Balingit, Boy Cabahug, Peter Naron, Terry Albarillo, Bong Abad, Larry Villanil, Calvin Tuadles, Al Solis, Lowell Briones, Jojo Lim, Max Delantes, Willy Generalao, Titing Manalili Sr., Roger Yap, Junthy Valenzuela, Dondon Ampalayo, Manny Paner, Montoy Singson, Jojo Tangkay, and Reyns Yncierto.
MPBL Commissioner Emmer Oreta and Operations Head Zaldy Realubit said other deserving Cebuano players will also be recognized in future ceremonies.
Cebu Greats representative Sam Lato said another sellout crowd is expected on Saturday due to brisk ticket sales.
