Bulacan Kuyas Halt Marlins’ Comeback, End Three-Game Slide

The Bulacan Kuyas held off a late surge by the Sarangani 10ACT Marlins to secure an 80-76 win on Tuesday, regaining their footing in the 2026 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Season at Paco Arena in Manila.

Carl Ibe sank two crucial free throws with 7.5 seconds left, helping the Kuyas snap a three-game losing streak and improve their record to 2-3.

Gabriel Espinosa led Bulacan with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists, while Jeremy Cruz contributed 18 points and five assists. Andrei Acop delivered a standout all-around performance with 17 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and three steals, and Ibe finished with 10 points and two rebounds for the largely homegrown squad.

Bulacan opened the fourth quarter with a 6-0 run to pull away from Sarangani, which fell to 1-3 despite strong efforts from Lars Sunga and Leland Estacio. Sunga recorded 22 points, 14 rebounds, and two assists, while Estacio added 15 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks.

Despite the Marlins shooting better from the field—29 of 72 attempts (40.3%) compared to Bulacan’s 26 of 76 (36.8%)—Sarangani struggled at the free-throw line, converting only 10 of 29 (34.5%). The Kuyas made 17 of 27 from the stripe (63%), taking advantage of the Marlins’ miscues.

Carl Bryan Lacap contributed 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Yvan Ludovice added 12 points, 10 assists, three rebounds, and two steals for Sarangani.

MPBL action continues Wednesday at One Arena in Cainta, with Biñan facing Batangas at 4 p.m., Meycauayan meeting Negros at 6 p.m., and Rizal taking on Mindoro at 8 p.m.