Top prospects Michael Phillips and Kymani Ladi are set for another showdown, this time on the hardcourt of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
Seven months after their last meeting in the UAAP, the two rising standouts now lead their respective clubs as the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo defend homecourt and their 11-game unbeaten start against the San Juan Knights today at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
Ladi, the lanky 6-foot-8 forward from Ateneo de Manila University, has been averaging 13.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists for the Batang Kankaloo.
Phillips, the 6-foot-8 bruising forward from De La Salle University, is putting up 9.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks so far for the Knights.
This time, both players are surrounded by familiar UAAP faces.
Supporting Ladi in Caloocan’s unbeaten run are former Ateneo teammate Dominic Escobar and ex-La Salle guard Kean Baclaan.
Meanwhile, Phillips is joined by former UP standouts Harold Alarcon, Reyland Torres, Terrence Fortea, and Gerry Abadiano in San Juan’s rotation.
The Knights are currently riding a six-game winning streak and hold an 8–1 record.
Last night, the Gensan Warriors overwhelmed the Manila squad, 118–71, in Tuesday action at the One Arena in Cainta, Rizal, strengthening their push in the league’s two-division, 28-team tournament.
With six players scoring in double figures, Gensan broke the game wide open, building a 111–61 cushion en route to improving to 12–1.
Mark Cruz led the Warriors with 18 points—all from three-point range—along with five assists and four rebounds. JM Versoza added 17 points, 13 of them in the second quarter when Gensan pulled away for a 52–33 lead, while Marwin Dionisio tallied 12 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two blocks.
They also drew solid contributions from Nelo Santos (13 points, four rebounds), Joshua Moralejo (12 points, six assists, two rebounds), and Karl Gloria (10 points).
Gensan dominated the boards, 61–35, converting those into a 22–4 advantage in second-chance points and a 37–14 edge in fastbreak scoring. Manila dropped to 1–11 despite 19 points from Mark Doligon and 17 apiece from Joe Gomez De Liano and John Ashley Faa.
The Bulacan Kuyas also secured a win, pulling away from the Negros Hacienderos after leading 42–32 at halftime to improve to 4–7.
Jeremy Cruz paced Bulacan with 17 points, while Mart James Barrera, Airohn Acop, and Jonathan Medina each added 12 or more to help seal the victory. Negros slipped to 1–9, led by Reymar Caduyac’s 11 points, with Rey Ygot and Brandrey Bienes adding 10 each.
In the nightcap, the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys outlasted the Mindoro Tamaraws, 79–69, holding off a late rally that cut the gap to 78–76 before finishing strong.
Miguel Ona sparked the Cowboys’ finishing run, finishing with 15 points and two rebounds to earn Player of the Game honors. He edged Allen Mina, who also had 15 points with four assists and two rebounds, along with TJ Felebrico (13 points, 12 rebounds) and Jayboy Solis (11 points, 11 rebounds).
Mindoro fell to 5–6, with JJ Caspe leading the way with 22 points and RJ Ramirez adding 14, but the Tamaraws struggled to get consistent support elsewhere.
Other games today pit Cebu against Paranaque at 4 p.m., and Pasay against Valenzuela at 8 p.m.
