Biñan Tatak Gel heated up as the game progressed and overwhelmed Manila Batang Quiapo, 129-85, on Wednesday to extend its winning streak to 10 games and improve to 13-3 in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Pasay Astrodome.
Leading by just four after the opening quarter, Biñan widened the gap to 61-38 by halftime before pulling away for good with a 95-69 advantage entering the fourth quarter en route to the 44-point rout.
The Laguna-based squad now shares fourth place in the South Division with Cebu and trails leader Gensan (14-2), Batangas (13-2), and Quezon Province (10-2).
Newcomer Nic Cabanero led the way with 20 points, including 11 in the third quarter. He also had four assists, four steals, and three rebounds in just 16 minutes and 24 seconds to earn Best Player of the Game honors.
The 6-foot-2 former University of Santo Tomas standout received ample support from Jaymar Gimpayan, who had 14 points and eight rebounds; Michael Mabulac, who finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists; Kenny Roger Rocacurva, who tallied 12 points, five assists, and three rebounds; and homegrown guard John Barba, who also scored 12 points.
“I am grateful for our veteran teammates, like Kuya Ping (Marc Pingris) and Kuya Mike (Mabulac), for guiding the other young players and me,” said Cabanero.
Manila dropped to 2-14 despite a 26-point, eight-rebound, four-assist performance from Mark Doligon and 20 points, five rebounds, and two assists from Alfred Sedillo.
Meanwhile, Shawn Argente buried a deep three-pointer with 12.3 seconds remaining to lift the Meycauayan Marilao Gems to an 82-77 victory over the Pasay Voyagers in the third game.
Argente’s clutch shot silenced the hometown crowd and sealed the Gems’ ninth win in 16 games, moving them into sixth place in the North Division standings.
Agem Miranda had earlier regained the lead for Meycauayan Marilao, 79-77, with a triple at the 1:39 mark of the fourth quarter.
The 24-year-old former Jose Rizal University standout finished with 19 points and three rebounds to earn Best Player of the Game honors, edging Miranda, who contributed 15 points, seven assists, and two rebounds.
“My killer instinct set in,” said the 5-foot-9 two-way guard. “I’ll be having a good night’s sleep.”
Homegrown Jeric Serrano added nine points, while Robin Nayve and Jayson Apolonio chipped in seven apiece for the Gems, who trail the Abra Solid North Weavers (13-1), San Juan Knights (12-1), Caloocan Batang Kankaloo (14-2), Ilagan Isabela Cowboys (10-6), and Pasig City (8-6).
The Gems showed composure after surrendering a 43-29 lead late in the second quarter and falling behind, 69-64, before mounting their late-game rally.
Rence Alcoriza carried the offensive load for Pasay in the absence of Christian Fajarito, finishing with 26 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Kriss Gurtiza added 12 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while Lenard Santiago chipped in 13 points and five rebounds.
Earlier, the Sarangani 10ACT Marlins leaned on Ralph Tansingco and John Cantimbuhan to defeat the Parañaque Patriots, 84-74, in the second game and improve to 3-14.
Tansingco posted 25 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, along with 12 rebounds and two assists to claim Best Player of the Game honors. Cantimbuhan backed him with 16 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Leland Estacio contributed 10 points and three rebounds, while eight other Marlins scored at least two points.
Cellar-dweller Parañaque slipped to 1-18 despite 15 points from Jomar Santos, 13 each from Ryusei Koga and Paolo Santos, and 10 from James Mangahas.
The tournament shifts to the Strike Coliseum in Bacoor, Cavite, on Thursday, with Bacolod facing Cebu at 4:00 PM, Bataan taking on Ilagan Isabela at 6:00 PM, and San Juan meeting Gensan at 8:00 PM.
