Batang Kankaloo Surge to Solo Lead with 47-Point Rout of Masskaras

Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL)Caloocan Batang Kankaloo claimed the solo lead after a commanding 99-52 victory over the Bacolod Masskaras on Thursday at One Arena in Cainta, Rizal.

The win extended Caloocan’s winning streak to six games, putting them ahead of the Gensan Warriors (5-0) in the standings of the two-division, 28-team tournament.

Every one of Caloocan’s 13 players saw action, as the Batang Kankaloo took control early and never looked back. They built a massive 97-46 cushion while dominating rebounds (58-28), assists (38-15), steals (12-4), and blocks (7-2). Bacolod fell to 1-5.

Ateneo de Manila recruits Dom Escobar and Kymani Ladi led the charge, dictating the game’s pace from start to finish.

The 6-foot-5 Escobar scored 21 points, including four three-pointers, and added seven rebounds and two assists to earn Player of the Game honors. Ladi contributed 17 points, two rebounds, and two steals, complementing Escobar’s performance. Jammer Jamito added 12 points and five rebounds, while Robby Celiz and Jeff Manday chipped in eight points each.

For Bacolod, only Ram Mesqueriola (12 points) and Khenth Guiab (10 points) offered consistent resistance.

Abra Bounces Back Against Marikina

Defending champion Abra Solid North rebounded with an 89-53 win over the Marikina Shoemasters in the nightcap, improving to 3-1.

Drex Delos Reyes led the charge with 16 points and eight rebounds, helping Abra recover from the snap of their 48-game winning streak—10 of which came in the 2026 Preseason Invitational—at the hands of the San Juan Knights (66-58) on May 2.

Supporting Delos Reyes were Shaun Ildefonso with 11 points and five rebounds, Encho Serrano with 10 points, six rebounds, and three assists, and Kascius Small Martin with 10 points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Reigning MVP Dave Ildefonso, nursing an ankle injury from the San Juan loss, and DJ Fenner both sat out.

Marikina dropped to 2-4, led by JR Alabanza’s 13 points and seven rebounds and Louie Vigil’s 10 points and six rebounds.