Black Bulls maul Hacienderos by 33

Quezon City kept its North Division playoff hopes alive with a dominant 120-87 victory over Negros in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal.

The Black Bulls unleashed a balanced offensive attack, with six players scoring in double figures, as they improved to 9-10 in the round-robin elimination phase of the 27-team tournament. Quezon City led by as many as 41 points, 111-70, in a wire-to-wire performance.

Ryan Costelo paced the Black Bulls with 22 points, three rebounds, and three assists, while MJ Joson recorded a triple-double of 17 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds, along with three steals.

The 5-foot-11 Manila Central University product credited the team's response after a heartbreaking one-point defeat in its previous outing.

"I'm grateful for the trust given to me by Coach JV Ochea and my teammates," said Joson. "We worked hard to bounce back after our tough 84-85 loss to Zamboanga SiKat on July 23."

Jessie Sumoda added 14 points and six rebounds, Kobe Monje contributed 13 points, six assists, and four rebounds, Val Chauca finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, while Carmel Espinosa chipped in 11 points and nine rebounds.

Negros dropped to a league-worst 1-17 despite 25 points, three rebounds, and three assists from Michael Alvarez, while Reymar Caduyac added 23 points, three rebounds, and two assists.

The tournament resumes Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, where reigning back-to-back South Division champion Quezon Province takes on North Division contender San Juan in the marquee matchup at 7 p.m.

The Huskers lead the South Division with a 13-2 record, while the Knights are second in the North Division at 15-1.

The game will also mark Gerry Abadiano's farewell appearance for San Juan before he joins Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus in the Korean Basketball League. The Knights will also move forward without center Mike Phillips, who recently signed with a club in Japan's B.League.

Thursday's triple-header also features Basilan against Manila at 3 p.m., followed by Cebu taking on Marikina at 5 p.m.