Quezon Province and San Juan carved out contrasting paths to victory in the 2026 MPBL Preseason Invitational on Tuesday at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
The new-look Huskers cruised past the Junior MPBL D-League Selection, 116-80. Meanwhile, the Knights weathered a rugged contest before pulling away from the Marikina Shoemasters, 86-75, in the elimination round of the 18-team event.
Clinging to a slim 57-55 lead after three quarters, the Knights caught fire early in the fourth period and unleashed a decisive 14-4 run to build a 71-59 cushion they would not relinquish.
Mainstays Michael Calisaan and Orlan Wamar — along with coveted University of the Philippines recruits Terrence Fortea and Reyland Torres — delivered solid performances for San Juan, which is seeking cohesion and precision in its bid to reclaim the MPBL crown it won in 2019.
Calisaan finished with 15 points and five rebounds, while Fortea tallied 13 points, four assists, and three rebounds. Wamar added 11 points, five assists, four rebounds, and two steals, then Torres chipped in 10 points and two rebounds.
Veteran Reynel Hugnatan and acquisition Harold Alarcon, also from UP, contributed eight and seven points, respectively.
San Juan joined inaugural champions Abra Solid North, Batangas City Tanduay, Caloocan, and Quezon at the top of the standings.
Marikina, which led 44-35 at one point, drew 18 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals from Deo Timajo; 12 points, six rebounds, and five assists from Lander Canon; and 10 points, five assists, and three steals from Jethro Escoto.
Meanwhile, powered by prized rookies Cedrick Manzano, Jolo Manansala, and John Abate, the Huskers surged to an 87-60 advantage after three quarters and never looked back.
The 6-foot-5 Manzano — a former Adamson standout and member of the Gilas Pilipinas team that won gold at the Bangkok Southeast Asian Games — posted 16 points, seven rebounds, and two steals in just 13 minutes and 38 seconds to earn Best Player honors.
The 6-foot-4 Manansala, a former National University star, impressed with 15 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Then former University of the East skipper John Abate added 13 points — highlighted by three triples — along with two rebounds and two assists.
Recruits Chris Lalata, Joseph Penaredondo, and Michael Canete, along with mainstay RJ Minerva, also provided key contributions for the Huskers, who are gearing up for a third straight South Division title in the upcoming MPBL Eighth Season.
Lalata registered 11 points, two rebounds, and two assists, while Minerva had 10 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Penaredondo scored nine points with two assists, and Canete added eight points and two rebounds.
The Huskers did not field prized acquisition Will McAloney, chief gunner Judel Fuentes, and veteran Gab Banal.
The D-League Selection, composed of players all under 21 years old, was paced by Jaymark Lloren, a 6-foot-2 standout from Pasig, who finished with 23 points, five rebounds, and two assists. Axel Rosales added 12 points while Russel Bayani contributed nine.
Quezon broke the game open in the second quarter, stringing together 12 unanswered points — including back-to-back triples by Abate — and capped by a buzzer-beating drive from Lalata to stretch the lead to 55-35 at halftime.
Back-to-back triples by Penaredondo and Rodel Gravera later gave the Huskers their biggest margin at the final buzzer.
Wednesday’s games at the same venue will feature Bataan against Abra Solid North at 3:00 PM, Quezon City versus Sarangani at 5:00 PM, and Binan Tatak Gel taking on Mindoro at 7:00 PM.
