Argente delivers late dagger as Gems fend off Voyagers

Shawn Argente knocked down a clutch three-pointer with 12.3 seconds remaining to lift the Meycauayan Marilao Gems to an 82-77 victory over the Pasay Voyagers on Wednesday in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season at the Pasay Astrodome.

Argente's long-range bomb proved to be the game-clincher, capping the Gems' late surge and securing their ninth win in 16 outings to strengthen their hold on sixth place in the North Division standings of the 27-team tournament.

Moments earlier, Agem Miranda drained a go-ahead triple with 1:39 left, giving Meycauayan Marilao a 79-77 lead it never relinquished.

Argente, a former Jose Rizal University standout, finished with 19 points and three rebounds to earn Best Player of the Game honors. Miranda also played a pivotal role, tallying 15 points, seven assists, and two rebounds.

"My killer instinct set in," said the 5-foot-9 two-way guard. "I'll be having a good night's sleep."

Homegrown guard Jeric Serrano chipped in nine points, while Robin Nayve and Jayson Apolonio contributed seven each as the Gems stayed in the playoff hunt behind North Division frontrunners Abra (13-1), San Juan (12-1), Caloocan (14-2), and Ilagan Isabela (10-6).

The victory was a resilient one for Meycauayan Marilao, which squandered a 14-point lead after taking a 43-29 advantage late in the second quarter. Pasay stormed back to grab a 69-64 lead before the Gems regained their composure and closed the game with a decisive finishing kick.

Rence Alcoriza carried the Voyagers with 26 points, five rebounds, and five assists in the absence of Christian Fajarito. Lennard Santiago added 13 points and five rebounds, while Kriss Gurtiza contributed 12 points, four rebounds, and two assists.

Earlier, the Sarangani 10ACT Marlins snapped through against the Parañaque Patriots, posting an 84-74 victory behind the strong performances of Ralph Tansingco and John Cantimbuhan.

Tansingco produced 25 points, 12 rebounds, and two assists, including nine points in the fourth quarter, to earn Best Player of the Game honors. Cantimbuhan complemented him with 16 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

Leland Estacio added 10 points and three rebounds, while eight other Marlins also found the scoring column as Sarangani improved to 3-14.

Parañaque fell to a league-worst 1-18 despite 15 points from Jomar Santos, 13 apiece from Ryusei Koga and Paolo Santos, and 10 from James Mangahas.

The MPBL resumes Thursday at Strike Coliseum in Bacoor, Cavite, where Bacolod faces Cebu at 4 p.m., Bataan takes on Ilagan Isabela at 6 p.m., and San Juan meets Gensan at 8 p.m.