Negros Muscovados Stun Manila Batang Quiapo in MPBL Thriller

Manila, Philippines – June 3, 2026 – The Negros Muscovados pulled off a dramatic 109–103 road victory over the Manila Batang Quiapo in a high-octane MPBL showdown at the packed San Juan Arena. The win not only boosted Negros’ playoff push but also snapped Manila’s three-game home winning streak.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, both teams traded baskets with relentless pace. Manila used a strong second quarter to build an 8-point halftime lead, but Negros stormed back in the third period, fueled by a 14–2 run. The final quarter turned into a back-and-forth battle, with Negros’ sharpshooting from beyond the arc proving decisive down the stretch.

Key Moments

• Third‑Quarter Surge: Negros outscored Manila 34–22 in the third, erasing the deficit and seizing a 4-point lead heading into the fourth.
• Clutch Free Throws: With 1:18 left, Negros guard Jansen Ortega sank two free throws to push the lead to 105–101, effectively sealing the win.
• Manila’s Late Rally Falls Short: A three‑pointer by Manila’s Aldrich Ramos cut the margin to 106–103 with 32 seconds remaining, but Negros answered with a layup and a steal that led to another fast‑break score.

Standout Players

Negros was led by Marko Villanueva, who poured in 28 points on 10‑of‑18 shooting, including 4 three‑pointers. Forward Carlos Dela Cruz added a double‑double with 18 points and 14 rebounds, dominating the glass in the second half. For Manila, Renz Tolentino had a game‑high 32 points, but his efforts were not enough to overcome Negros’ balanced attack.

Impact on the Standings

With the victory, Negros improved to 12–8, strengthening their hold on a top‑four spot in the South Division. Manila dropped to 10–10, falling into a tie for sixth place. Both teams are now jockeying for favorable seeding as the MPBL regular season enters its final month.

The Muscovados will look to build on this momentum when they host the Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines next week, while Manila will aim to bounce back on the road against the Bicolandia Oragons.