Pasay Voyagers 78 – 76 Quezon City Galeries Taipan
Philippines MPBL | Regular Season | Venue: Cuneta Astrodome | May 30, 2026

Voyagers Hold Off Galeries Taipan in Tight MPBL Battle

The Pasay Voyagers secured a hard-fought 78–76 victory over the Quezon City Galeries Taipan on Saturday at the Cuneta Astrodome. The two-point margin was the closest of the day in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, with both teams trading leads throughout the fourth quarter before Pasay’s defense made the decisive stop in the final seconds.

This matchup featured two squads jockeying for position in the MPBL standings, and the game lived up to its billing as a playoff-intensity contest. The Voyagers improved to 11–5 with the win, while Quezon City dropped to 9–7, missing a chance to close the gap in the tightly packed North Division.

How the Game Unfolded

• Back-and-Forth Start: Neither team led by more than five points in the first half. Pasay took a 40–38 edge into the locker room behind hot shooting from guard Mark Santos.
• Third Quarter Push: Quezon City’s big man Rico Villanueva imposed his will in the paint, scoring 10 points in the third quarter to put the Galeries Taipan up 62–58.
• Clutch Final Minutes: Pasay answered with a 12–4 run, taking a 74–66 lead with three minutes left. But Quezon City stormed back, pulling within 78–76 after a three-pointer by Jared Cruz with 11 seconds to go. A late Pasay turnover gave Quezon City a chance, but Cruz’s potential game-tying jumper was contested and fell short.

Top Performers

Mark Santos led all scorers with 22 points for the Voyagers, adding 5 assists and 4 steals. Forward Carlos Reyes contributed a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. For Quezon City, Rico Villanueva was dominant with 20 points and 13 rebounds, while Jared Cruz finished with 17 points, though his final shot just missed.

Standings and Significance

The win strengthens Pasay’s hold on third place in the MPBL North Division, now just two games behind leaders San Juan. Quezon City, meanwhile, remains in a tie for fifth, and will need to rebound quickly to avoid slipping further. The Voyagers’ ability to win close games has been a hallmark of their season, and this gritty performance underscores their credentials as a serious playoff contender.