Bataan erupts from deep, pulls away from Quezon City

The Bataan Risers unleashed a barrage of three-pointers in the fourth quarter to defeat the Quezon City Black Bulls, 103-86, on Wednesday in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Robbi Darang, Chito Jaime, and Hubert Cani each drained two three-pointers in the final frame, while Yves Sazon added another as the Risers bounced back and improved to 6-7 in the elimination round of the 28-team tournament.

Sazon spearheaded the attack with 22 points, five assists, and four rebounds to earn Best Player of the Game honors. Cani also delivered a strong performance with 20 points and two rebounds.

Alfred Flores added 15 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Chris Javier chipped in 10 points and six boards. Darang likewise finished with 10 points, four rebounds, and four assists.

Leading by just five points, 73-68, entering the closing stretch, Bataan seized control with a game-changing 21-6 run punctuated by three-pointers, with Jaime opening and capping the surge from long range.

The Black Bulls managed to cut the deficit to 95-80, but Cani quickly answered with consecutive triples before Sazon knocked down a jumper to push the lead back to 21 points, 103-82, with 1:15 left.

Bataan's outside shooting proved to be the difference as it connected on 17 of 39 attempts from beyond the arc for an impressive 43.6 percent shooting clip. Quezon City, meanwhile, struggled from deep, making only six of its 25 three-point attempts.

Despite the setback, the Black Bulls drew solid efforts from Jessie Sumoda, who finished with 16 points and six rebounds; Jake Agoncillo, who posted 13 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists; MJ Joson, who contributed 13 points, six rebounds, and three assists; and Kobe Monje, who added 11 points and six rebounds.

The tournament resumes Thursday at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City, where Mindoro will face Sarangani at 4 p.m., Marikina takes on San Juan at 6 p.m., and Batangas meets Quezon at 8 p.m. local time.