Athletics notch 10th straight win, SiKat survives Steel rally

The Batangas City Tanduay Athletics stretched their winning streak to 10 games after defeating the Meycauayan Marilao Gems, 75-61, on Thursday in the 2026 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Season at the Batangas City Coliseum.

Batangas pulled away late, closing the contest on an 8-0 run after the Gems had trimmed the deficit to 68-61 with 3:24 left. The Athletics also locked down defensively, holding Meycauayan Marilao scoreless the rest of the way to improve to 12-2 in the round-robin elimination phase of the 27-team tournament.

The victory kept Batangas in second place in the South Division behind General Santos (13-2), while maintaining its slim edge over Biñan (12-3) and Cebu (12-3) in the standings.

In the second game, Zamboanga SiKat withstood a spirited comeback by Basilan Steel to escape with an 82-74 victory.

Zamboanga appeared headed for a comfortable win after opening a 52-27 advantage, but Basilan battled back behind Javee Mocon and John Wilson, slicing the deficit to 76-72 before Wilson scored again to make it 78-74.

Brandon Wilson answered with a timely driving layup, and Reggz Gabat iced the game with two free throws with 16 seconds remaining as SiKat improved to 6-9.

Joseph Gabayni earned Best Player of the Game honors after recording 13 points, 14 rebounds, and two assists.

Gabat paced the scoring with 19 points and two rebounds, while Forthsky Padrigao added 16 points, four assists, and two rebounds. Inand Fornilos contributed 10 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and two assists, while Brandon Wilson posted a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Basilan slipped to 7-9 despite John Wilson's 18-point, nine-rebound effort. Mark Montuano and Jan Jamon chipped in 15 points apiece, with Montuano grabbing five rebounds and Jamon adding four assists, while Mocon finished with 12 points, four assists, and two rebounds.

The tournament continues Friday at the Pasay Astrodome, where General Santos takes on Imus at 4 p.m., Bacolod battles Ilagan Isabela at 6 p.m., and Abra faces Pasay at 8 p.m.