The San Juan Knights and the Quezon Huskers scored convincing victories on Tuesday to sustain their winning runs in the MPBL 2026 Season at the Navotas Convention Center.
Powered by Michael Calisaan, the Knights defeated the Meycauayan Marilao Gems, 88-78, in the opener, while the Huskers completed a wire-to-wire 86-73 victory over the Bataan Risers in the round-robin elimination phase of the 27-team tournament.
San Juan improved to 14-1, tying defending champion Abra Solid North for the best record in the North Division. The Knights also own the head-to-head advantage after defeating Abra, 66-58, on May 2.
Quezon raced to an early 13-point lead and never looked back, improving to 12-2 to remain behind South Division leader Batangas (13-2).
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Jolo Manansala led the Huskers with 15 points, including two three-pointers, and five rebounds to earn Best Player of the Game honors. Cedric Manzano added a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds, along with three assists.
Christian Pagaran contributed 13 points and six rebounds, while Joshua Yerro chipped in 11 points and three assists.
Bataan dropped to 6-11 despite 13 points and four rebounds from Alfred Flores, 12 points and five rebounds from Yves Sazon, 11 points, four rebounds and three assists from Robbi Darang, and 11 points and four rebounds from Kurt Reyson.
Calisaan, who has stepped into the void left by Japan B.League-bound Michael Phillips, finished with 19 points on an efficient 9-of-10 shooting from the field and grabbed seven rebounds. Former University of the Philippines standouts Harold Alarcon, Terrence Fortea, and Gerry Abadiano also delivered key contributions.
Alarcon tallied 14 points, four rebounds, and two assists, Fortea added 13 points built on three triples along with four assists, while Korean Basketball League-bound Abadiano chipped in 10 points and four assists.
“I trust my teammates. I know the ball will come to me,” said Calisaan, who was named Best Player of the Game. “That’s part of our system.”
With Phillips departing for Japan and 6-foot-6 forward Jommel Puno staying with San Beda, San Juan team manager Jun Usman said the Knights plan to activate 6-foot-6 Jhaymo Eguilos.
Meycauayan Marilao slipped to 9-8 despite Agem Miranda’s 20 points, five steals, and four rebounds, Felix Apreku’s 13 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals, and Shawn Argente’s 10 points and three assists.
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In the nightcap, Zamboanga SiKat routed Sarangani 10ACT, 104-77, to improve to 6-10.
Levi Hernandez led Zamboanga with 21 points highlighted by five three-pointers. Jun Arthur Calisay added 19 points and two steals, Forthsky Padrigao nearly recorded a triple-double with nine points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, Reggz Gabat finished with 12 points, four assists, and three rebounds, while Jayson Puray contributed 11 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Sarangani fell to 3-15 despite 14 points, four assists, and three rebounds from Alex Desoyo; 12 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and two assists from Ralph Tansingco; 12 points, all from beyond the arc, from Paul Sanga; and 10 points, three assists, and two rebounds from Leland Estacio.
The tournament resumes on Wednesday at the Pasay Astrodome with Parañaque facing Negros at 4 p.m., Quezon City taking on Manila at 6 p.m., and Pasay battling Bulacan at 8 p.m.
