Nic Cabanero erupted for an MPBL-record 53 points, including a record 31 in the fourth quarter, while completing a triple-double as Biñan Tatak Gel routed Pasig City, 121-79, on Thursday at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.
The 22-year-old Cabanero, a former University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers standout, eclipsed Jeff Viernes’ 50-point effort for the Sarangani Marlins in 2023. He also grabbed 22 rebounds, dished out 10 assists, and made three steals to earn best player honors.
The 6-foot-2 guard from Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, also shattered the previous MPBL record for most points in a quarter, surpassing the 22-point mark set by San Juan’s Orlan Wamar last year.
Cabanero’s historic performance powered Biñan to a 21-4 record and a provisional No. 1 seed in the South division. The Tatak Gel raced to a 51-32 halftime lead and stretched their advantage to as many as 48 points, 107-59.
Homegrown Ryan Sual added 16 points, while Carlo Lastimosa contributed nine for Biñan.
If Quezon sweeps its final three games, however, it will catch Biñan at 21-4 and claim the No. 1 seed by virtue of the win-over-the-other tiebreaker.
Pasig slipped to 11-12 but is assured of a spot in the South play-in tournament, which will feature teams ranked seventh to 10th after the elimination round.
The Goaltenders were led by Michael Lambino with 17 points, while Jacob Galicia added 16 and Jerome Garcia chipped in 13.
(C) MPBL
Earlier, the Abra Solid North Weavers unleashed a fourth-quarter scoring spurt to trounce the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo, 81-59, and secure the top playoff spot in the North division.
Powered by Fil-Am DJ Fenner and Jake Figueroa, the defending champion Weavers poured in 15 points while holding Caloocan to just one in the fourth quarter to close the round-robin elimination phase with a 23-2 record, moving beyond the reach of second-place San Juan (20-3).
Abra, which will represent the Philippines in the EASL (East Asia Super League) 2026-27 Season starting in Cebu on Oct. 3, will face the eighth and final North qualifier in the best-of-three quarterfinals, with homecourt advantage.
Fenner posted 26 points, seven rebounds, and two assists to earn best player honors, while reigning MVP Dave Ildefonso chipped in 18 points, four rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
Mike Ayonayon added nine points and three assists, while Figueroa finished with eight points, four rebounds, and two assists for the Weavers.
Caloocan, which forfeited its game against Biñan Tatak Gel last Saturday in Polomolok, South Cotabato, slipped to 18-5 but remained assured of the third playoff spot in the North.
The Batang Kankaloo were led by Kean Baclaan, who had 12 points, three rebounds, and two assists, while Chris Bitoon contributed 11 points, three assists, two rebounds, and two steals.
In the opener, the Quezon Huskers battered the Basilan Steel, 97-76, to improve to 18-4 and remain in contention for the No. 1 playoff seed in the South.
