Paranaque Patriots Outlast Imus Agimat in High-Scoring MPBL Thriller, 102-96

The Paranaque Patriots delivered a gritty performance on the road, defeating the Imus Agimat 102-96 in an intense Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) showdown at the Imus Sports Arena on June 12, 2026. The victory improved the Patriots' record and kept them in the thick of the playoff race, while the Agimat suffered a tough loss despite a spirited fourth-quarter rally.

Match Overview

Both teams came out firing from the opening tip, trading baskets in a fast-paced first half that saw Paranaque hold a slender 54-50 lead at the break. The Patriots built their advantage on efficient outside shooting and crisp ball movement, while Imus relied on quick transition plays and second-chance points to stay within reach.

The third quarter proved decisive, as Paranaque’s defense tightened and forced several turnovers that led to easy fast-break points. A 10-2 run midway through the period stretched the lead to 16, seemingly putting the game out of reach. However, the Agimat refused to buckle. Behind a furious fourth-quarter surge powered by timely three-pointers and aggressive drives, Imus cut the deficit to just four points with under two minutes remaining.

Key Moments

• First half momentum: Patriots guard Jeric Santos knocked down three triples in the opening quarter, setting the tone for Paranaque’s perimeter attack.
• Third-quarter defensive stand: A stretch of three consecutive steals—two by forward Mark Villanueva—turned a close game into a double-digit cushion.
• Imus rally: With 4:30 left, Agimat swingman RJ Tolentino scored eight straight points, including a powerful and-one finish that brought the home crowd to its feet.
• Clutch free throws: Patriots big man Jan Michael Cruz calmly sank four free throws in the final 30 seconds to ice the win.

Standout Players

• Jeric Santos (Paranaque): Finished with a game-high 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including 5-of-8 from deep. His early scoring gave Paranaque the cushion they needed.
• Mark Villanueva (Paranaque): Recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, adding 4 steals and 2 blocks. His energy on both ends was invaluable.
• RJ Tolentino (Imus): Poured in 26 points and dished out 6 assists, leading the Agimat’s comeback bid. His fourth-quarter explosion nearly turned the tide.
• Joey Magbanua (Imus): Contributed 18 points and 8 rebounds off the bench, providing a spark when the starting unit struggled early.

Season Context and Impact

The win moves the Paranaque Patriots closer to securing a top-four seed in the tightly contested MPBL South Division. With the victory, they improve to 14-8, while Imus Agimat falls to 11-11, dropping into a logjam of teams battling for the final playoff spots. The two sides are scheduled to meet again in the regular-season finale, a matchup that could carry major postseason implications.

For the Patriots, the balanced scoring and defensive tenacity on display in the second half offer reasons for optimism. Head coach Leo Austria praised his team’s composure: “We knew Imus would make a run, but our guys stayed focused and executed down the stretch. That’s the kind of maturity we need as we head into the playoffs.”

Imus, meanwhile, will look to tighten their transition defense and avoid slow starts. Their ability to rally against a strong opponent suggests they have the fight needed to be dangerous in the postseason—provided they can string together a full 48-minute effort.