Zamboanga SiKat sustained its climb behind Brandon Wilson and homegrown standout Forthsky Padrigao, while Mindoro regained its footing in the MPBL 2026 Season on Monday at the Orion Sports Complex in Bataan.
The Zamboanguenos thwarted the Bataan Risers, 94-87, in the nightcap to secure their ninth win in 21 games and assure themselves of a spot in the South division play-in.
Zamboanga surged ahead, 64-40, before cruising to the victory, with Wilson leading the way with 23 points on four three-pointers, seven rebounds, and two steals. Levi Hernandez added 18 points and eight rebounds, Paeng Are chipped in 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals, while Padrigao finished with 11 points and five assists.
Bataan slipped to 9-13 despite 21 points, four rebounds, and four assists from Alfred Flores. Edrian Ramirez contributed 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals, while Joshua Gallano had 10 points and six rebounds.
Mindoro, meanwhile, bounced back from a heartbreaking 70-69 loss to the Cebu Tamaraws last Friday by routing the Negros Hacienderos, 120-74.
The Tamaraws led from start to finish and built a 109-58 advantage, with seven players scoring in double figures as they improved to 12-10 in the round-robin elimination phase.
Mindoro has already secured a spot in the play-in for teams ranked seventh to 10th after the eliminations. With four games remaining, the Tamaraws can still catch the Rizal XentroMall Golden Coolers (14-7) for sixth place and an automatic South division quarterfinal berth.
Joshua Flores paced Mindoro with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while RJ Ramirez posted 17 points, seven assists, and three rebounds.
Bambam Gamalinda added 14 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists; JC Recto had 12 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists; Jayjay Caspe finished with 12 points, three rebounds, and three assists; Joshua Ramirez scored 10 points with four rebounds and two assists; and Marion Magat chipped in 10 points and five rebounds.
Negros, which fell to 1-21, was led by DH Howe with 25 points, followed by Michael Alvarez with 16 and Rev Diputado with 11.
In the opening game, the Quezon City Black Bulls used a full-court press in the second half to pull away from the Imus Yangkees, 111-94.
Quezon City rallied from a 49-44 halftime deficit and took control after three quarters, 89-71, to improve to 9-11 in the North division.
Kobe Monje led the Black Bulls with 18 points, three rebounds, and three assists, while Jessie Sumoda also scored 18 points with four rebounds and two assists. Patrick Buena added 15 points, six assists, and two steals.
Imus dropped to 3-18 despite 19 points from Christian Ferrer, 15 from John Jezer Calma, 13 from Pardo, 12 from Harold Lomlong, and 11 from Jaypee Belencion.
The tournament returns to the Pasay Astrodome on Tuesday, with Pasig facing Manila at 5 p.m. and Quezon Province taking on Pasay at 7 p.m.
