Cyrus Tabi canned two free throws with 4.6 seconds left as the Quezon Huskers survived Binan Tatak Gel’s furious rally to prevail, 69-68, on Friday and retain the South Division crown of the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.
Quezon closed out the series, 3-1, to capture its third consecutive division crown. The Huskers will now await the winner of the North Division Finals between defending champion Abra Solid North and San Juan.
With many spectators already heading for the exits, Quezon appeared to have the game in hand with a 66-55 lead. However, Binan erupted for 10 unanswered points, highlighted by two triples from Nic Cabanero and a four-point play by Ryan Sual, to threaten with just 15.6 seconds remaining.
Judel Fuentes, Quezon’s leading scorer, could only split his free throws, giving Binan an opportunity to steal the victory.
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Cabanero, however, slipped while attempting to secure the ball, allowing Tabi to gain possession before getting fouled.
Cabanero managed to drill in a triple at the buzzer, but it was too late as Quezon escaped with the victory.
Quezon, which also defeated Binan, 3-2, in last year’s South Division Finals, drew 12 points and four rebounds from Christian Pagrana, who was named SportsPlus Best Player ahead of Tabi, who finished with 11 points, seven assists, and five rebounds.
Other Huskers who delivered were Cholo Anonuevo with 10 points, four rebounds, and four assists, Fuentes with seven points and four rebounds, and Jolo Manasala with five points and three rebounds.
Binan got 27 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists from Cabanero, the frontrunner in the MVP race, while Carlo Lastimosa and Kenny Rocacurva chipped in 12 points apiece.
Binan drew first blood with an 83-74 victory in Game 1 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig. However, Quezon bounced back with convincing wins in Game 2, 74-54, at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City, and Game 3, 81-67, at the Alonte Sports Arena.
Back-to-back triples from Ryan Sual and Pamboy Raymundo, along with a free throw by Jopet Soriano, brought Binan within striking distance at 60-53. However, Jason Opiso answered with a jumper before Christian Pagrana knocked down a three-pointer to quell the rally and give Quezon a 65-53 cushion with 3:19 remaining.
Lander Canon scored from underneath before Tabi beat the buzzer with a fallaway jumper to give Quezon a commanding 54-35 lead as Binan settled for just four points in the second quarter.
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The Huskers opened the third period with a seven-point burst, capped by four points from Manasala, to extend their advantage to 48-31.
Quezon had earlier put together a seven-point run to pull away, 39-25, but Lastimosa and Cabanero combined to bring Binan closer, 39-31, at halftime.
Reigning champion Abra Solid North currently leads San Juan, 2-0, in the best-of-five North Division Finals.
Completing the Huskers’ roster under head coach Eric Gonzales are homegrown talents Dom Vera, Topeng Lagrama, and Rodel Gravera, alongside Diego Dario, Michael Canete, John Abate, and Gab Banal.
The North Division Finals between Abra Solid North and San Juan will resume at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
The Abra Weavers won Game 1, 59-58, and Game 2, 76-65, and can retain their division crown with another victory.
Abra will defend its MPBL national title against Quezon in a best-of-seven championship series.
