Quezon City Galeries Taipan Outlast Bulacan Kuyas in MPBL Thriller, 92-83

The Quezon City Galeries Taipan secured a hard-fought 92-83 victory over the Bulacan Kuyas on May 25, 2026, in a pivotal MPBL regular-season clash at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The home side used a dominant third-quarter surge and timely perimeter shooting to overcome a gritty Bulacan squad, improving their record and tightening their grip on a playoff spot.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, both teams showcased aggressive defense and up-tempo offense. The Kuyas, led by their veteran guard Jayson Gonzales, jumped out to an early lead, capitalizing on Quezon City turnovers. However, the Taipan responded behind sharp shooting from Paolo Santos and the inside presence of Mark Rivera. The first half ended with Bulacan holding a narrow 45–43 advantage.

The third quarter proved decisive. Quezon City's defense tightened, forcing five Bulacan turnovers in the period. Meanwhile, Joshua dela Cruz caught fire from beyond the arc, knocking down three triples to fuel a 28–16 run that gave the Taipan a commanding 71–61 lead heading into the final frame.

Key Moments

• Third-Quarter Blitz: Quezon City opened the second half on a 12–2 run, erasing Bulacan's halftime lead and never looking back. The Kuyas missed seven consecutive shots during that stretch.
• Clutch Free Throws: With under two minutes remaining and the lead cut to six, Taipan guard Ryan Tan calmly sank four straight free throws to seal the win.
• Bulacan's Late Push: The Kuyas trimmed the deficit to 86–80 with 1:30 left on a tough layup by Gonzales, but Quezon City's defense held firm in the closing seconds.

Standout Performances

Paolo Santos led all scorers with 26 points, including 10 in the third quarter, while also grabbing 8 rebounds and dishing out 4 assists. Mark Rivera added a double-double with 18 points and 11 boards, anchoring the interior.

For Bulacan, Jayson Gonzales produced a valiant effort with 24 points and 7 assists, but found little support from his teammates. John Lozano chipped in 15 points off the bench, but the Kuyas' outside shooting faltered – they connected on only 5 of 22 three-point attempts (22.7%).

Tactical Battle

Quezon City's zone defense in the second half disrupted Bulacan's rhythm, forcing them into contested mid-range jumpers. The Taipan also dominated the boards (48–42) and scored 18 second-chance points. Bulacan's transition offense, which had been a strength, was neutralized as Quezon City committed just 8 turnovers after halftime.

Offensively, Quezon City spread the floor effectively, using ball movement to create open looks. They assisted on 22 of their 34 made field goals, a testament to their unselfish play.

Implications in the MPBL Standings

The victory improves the Galeries Taipan to 14–8, keeping them in the top four of the North Division. The loss drops Bulacan to 11–11, putting their playoff hopes in jeopardy. With the regular season entering its final stretch, every game carries added weight in the competitive MPBL landscape.

The two teams will meet again on June 12, 2026, in Bulacan, and the Kuyas will be eager to avenge this defeat in front of their home crowd.