Batang Kankaloo cruise past Yangkee to strengthen North Division bid

Caloocan Batang Kankaloo erupted in the fourth quarter to overpower Imus Yangkee, 122-90, on Monday in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season at One Arena in Cainta, Rizal.

Leading by 12 entering the final period, Caloocan put the game out of reach with a blistering 20-8 run that widened the gap to 115-83 on the way to its 15th victory in 17 games in the 27-team round-robin eliminations.

The win kept the Batang Kankaloo in third place in the North Division behind defending champion Abra Solid North (14-1) and San Juan (13-1) as the race for the top four playoff spots intensifies.

After trailing 21-18 at the end of the opening quarter, Caloocan took control behind Kean Baclaan, who erupted for 15 points in the second period to help his team build a 53-42 halftime cushion.

The former De La Salle standout finished with 21 points, five assists, and three rebounds, while ex-Ateneo forward Kymani Ladi contributed 13 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks.

"We have to continue raising our level because tougher games are coming," Baclaan said, referring to Caloocan's upcoming clash with Cebu on Thursday at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.

Dom Escobar added 11 points, three rebounds, and three assists, while Jammer Jamito chipped in 10 points and five rebounds. Ronnie Matias controlled the boards with six points and a game-high 19 rebounds.

Imus slipped to 2-15 despite a strong outing from Janjan Salazar, who finished with 28 points, five steals, three rebounds, and three assists. Jaypee Belencion also contributed 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists.

In the second game, Pasig City escaped with a thrilling 102-100 win over Valenzuela City behind another late-game heroics from Warlo Batac.

Batac, who also delivered a game-winner against Mindoro on July 6, attacked the basket in the closing seconds and converted the deciding layup with just 0.16 seconds remaining to lift Pasig to a 9-6 record.

He flirted with a triple-double after tallying 21 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and two steals. Jerome Garcia scored 23 points, while Jacob Galicia posted a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds along with four assists and two blocks.

JR Raflores chipped in 15 points, while John Felix Corpuz added 10 points, five rebounds, and two assists as Pasig erased an eight-point deficit, 95-87, with just over four minutes left to steal the victory.

Valenzuela dropped to 8-10 despite balanced production from JR Olegario, who scored 19 points, CJ Alattica, who had 18 points and 12 rebounds, Geremy Robinsons, who finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals, and Shaq Alanes, who added 14 points and six assists.

Earlier, the Marikina Shoemasters snapped their losing streak by holding off the Bacolod Maskarras, 107-100.

Marikina squandered a nine-point lead after Desmond Price caught fire with 11 consecutive points, trimming the deficit to 99-97 with 1:34 remaining. The Shoemasters, however, stayed composed in the closing stretch, scoring the game's final eight points around another Price triple to improve to 7-11.

Jason Strait sparked Marikina's second-half turnaround, scoring 14 of his 18 points in the third quarter as the Shoemasters transformed a 54-52 halftime deficit into an 81-72 lead. He also grabbed five rebounds and dished out three assists.

"After the halftime huddle, the coaches told us to keep fighting. I'm thankful to my teammates and coaches for believing in me," Strait said.

Jethro Escoto led Marikina with 21 points, while Jordan Sta. Ana contributed 14 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and four steals. JR Alabanza added a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double, and Regie Boy Basibas chipped in 15 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists.

Price finished with a game-high 36 points on seven three-pointers, along with six assists and four rebounds for Bacolod, which fell to 3-17. Rafael Go added 13 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists, while Ram Mesqueriola scored 11 points. Emman Galman and Jeremy Monton each had 10 points.

The MPBL shifts to the Navotas Convention Center on Tuesday, with Meycauayan taking on San Juan at 4 p.m., Quezon facing Bataan at 6 p.m., and Zamboanga battling Sarangani at 8 p.m.