The Quezon Huskers remained unbeaten while the Meycauayan Marilao Gems continued their surge on Monday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the One Arena Cainta in Rizal Province.
With 14 of 15 players scoring, Quezon broke away early and never looked back, cruising to an 89-59 win over Sarangani 10ACT in the first game to stretch its record to 8-0 in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 28-team tournament.
The Gems, meanwhile, subdued the Marikina Shoemasters, 92-76, in a physical second game to secure their fourth straight win and improve to 6-3 in the race for playoff positioning.
Led by Judel Fuentes, the Huskers jumped out to a 17-2 lead midway through the first quarter before extending it to 69-34 en route to a comfortable finish. The win moved Quezon closer to pacesetters Caloocan Batang Kankaloo and the GenSan Warriors, both holding 10-0 records.
Fuentes finished with 12 points and five rebounds and was named best player over Cedric Manzano (10 points, eight rebounds), Michael Canete (10 points, six rebounds), and John Abate (10 points, four rebounds).
Quezon dominated inside, finishing with a 46-22 rebounding advantage that translated to a 46-16 edge in points in the paint. The Huskers also shot efficiently from beyond the arc, knocking down 11-of-25 triples (44 percent), compared to Sarangani’s 8-of-26 (30.8 percent). Sarangani slipped to 1-9, with CJ Tan finishing as the lone bright spot with 16 points.
In the second game, Meycauayan Marilao pulled away in the fourth quarter, breaking the game open at 77-56 behind the scoring burst of Agem Miranda, who scored 10 of his 21 points in the final frame. Jimboy Pasturan added eight of his 13 points in a game that saw four players ejected due to double technical and disqualifying fouls.
Other key contributors for the Gems included MJ Dela Virgen with 18 points, Migs Corteza with 14, and Robin Nayve with 13.
Marikina dropped to its third straight loss despite 11 points each from Louie Vigil and RR Casajeros, along with 10 points apiece from Jeff Javilonar and Ace Russell Tiamzon.
In the nightcap, Ian Melencio delivered a triple-double as the Bacolod Maskarras defeated hometown rivals Negros Hacienderos, 99-87, to improve to 3-8.
The 37-year-old Melencio finished with 14 points, 14 assists, and 15 rebounds to claim best player honors over Emman Galman, who had 26 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. Also contributing were Ram Mesqueriola (22 points, eight rebounds, two assists), Khenth Guiab (14 points, 10 rebounds, two assists), and Kurt Lactaotao (10 points, three rebounds, three assists).
Negros slipped to 0-7 despite 17 points, seven rebounds, and two assists from Carl Alattica; 14 points, five assists, and four rebounds from Rev Diputado; 12 points from Anthony White; and 10 points each from Brandrey Bienes and Winston Baltazar.
