The Quezon Huskers overpowered the Bulacan Kuyas, 88-63, on Wednesday to extend their winning streak in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Malolos Convention Center in Bulacan.
Behind a stellar performance from Judel Fuentes, the Huskers pulled away by as many as 28 points, 86-58, en route to their fifth straight victory. The reigning two-time South Division champions improved to 13-2, closing the gap on Batangas City Tanduay Athletics (14-2) in the race for the division’s top playoff spots.
Fuentes finished with 23 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals to earn Best Player of the Game honors.
“We’re always ready as our coaches urge us to give everything during practices,” said Fuentes. “We really need to play well and adapt because we’re going up against San Juan in our next game.”
Jolo Manansala added 12 points, seven rebounds, and two assists, while Cyrus Tabi contributed 10 points, seven assists, and four rebounds. Cedric Manzano chipped in nine points, 15 rebounds, and three assists.
Bulacan scored the game’s first basket, but Quezon answered with a 12-0 run and never looked back.
The Kuyas, who dropped to 14-3, were led by Jonathan Medina with 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists. Benedict Benedictos added 13 points, three rebounds, and two assists, while Jeremy Cruz finished with 10 points, five rebounds, and two assists.
In the second game, the Meycauayan Marilao Gems pulled off a stunning 105-100 comeback victory over Pasig.
Trailing 96-82 with just 2:58 remaining, the Gems unleashed a game-ending 23-4 run, highlighted by 11 points from Shawn Argente, to secure their 10th win in 18 games.
The victory kept Meycauayan Marilao in the thick of the North Division playoff race behind Abra Solid North (15-1), San Juan (14-1), Caloocan (17-2), Ilagan Isabela (12-6), and Pasig (9-7).
Argente, a 23-year-old former Jose Rizal University standout, erupted for 30 points on five three-pointers while grabbing two rebounds to earn Best Player of the Game honors. Agem Miranda backed him with 20 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
“My coaches and my teammates give me the confidence to shoot,” said Argente. “Of course, I’ve been practicing those shots.”
Powered by Warlo Batac, Pasig appeared headed for victory after building a 94-78 lead with 3:40 remaining.
The Gems, however, refused to fold. Argente, Robin Nayve, and Miranda sparked the rally, with Miranda knocking down the go-ahead jumper for a 98-96 lead with 1:06 left.
Michael Lambino tied the game for Pasig with two free throws before Argente buried the decisive three-pointer.
Batac led Pasig with 25 points, nine rebounds, and two assists. Jacob Galicia added 17 points, seven rebounds, and two assists, while Ahron Estacio contributed 14 points, seven assists, and two rebounds. Lambino finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
(C) MPBL
Earlier, the Pasay Voyagers dominated the second half to rout the Negros Hacienderos, 118-85.
After a tightly-contested first half that ended in a 38-38 deadlock, Pasay turned to Rence Alcoriza in the third quarter before Gyle Montano took over in the fourth as the Voyagers stretched the lead to as much as 41 points, 118-77.
The 6-foot former Arellano University standout Alcoriza scored 12 of his 20 points in the third period to help Pasay build a commanding 75-55 advantage. He also grabbed five rebounds and was named Best Player of the Game.
Montano poured in 17 of his 21 points in the final quarter to extinguish any hopes of a Negros comeback. He also collected five rebounds and two steals.
“We’re taking it one game at a time,” said Alcoriza. “This victory serves as our preparation for the strong teams we still have to face.”
With leading scorer Christian Fajarito unavailable, Cyril Gonzales contributed 12 points, four rebounds, three steals, and two assists, while Mark Parks posted 11 points, 10 rebounds, and three steals. Brian Hilario added 10 points and three rebounds.
Negros, which slipped to a league-worst 1-15 in the South Division, was paced by Wilson Baltazar with 21 points, including five three-pointers, along with two rebounds and two assists. Michael Alvarez tallied 18 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, while Peter Marc Manalang added 10 points, four assists, and three rebounds.
The tournament resumes Thursday at the Paco Arena with Mindoro facing Abra at 4:00 PM, Valenzuela taking on San Juan at 6:00 PM, and Quezon City battling Zamboanga at 8:00 PM.
