Cebu Greats Extend Winning Streak with Convincing Win over SiKat

The Cebu Greats relied on a single dominant scoring run to pull away from Zamboanga SiKat, securing a 96-77 victory on Tuesday and continuing their impressive start to the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season at the Caloocan Sports Complex.

Zamboanga kept the game close early, even leading 27-24, before Cebu veteran Dondon Hontiveros caught fire from beyond the arc, sinking two three-pointers to spark a 14-point run. That burst gave the Greats control at 38-27 with 3:06 remaining in the second quarter.

Amid Hontiveros’ timely shots, Ron Dennison drove aggressively to the basket while Jonathan Ralf Gesalem added consecutive three-pointers, helping Cebu secure its fourth consecutive win and improve to a 6-2 record in the round-robin elimination of the 28-team, two-division tournament.

Mark Meneses led Cebu with 19 points, including a highlight-reel one-handed dunk, along with 11 rebounds and two steals. Wowie Escosio contributed 15 points and five boards, Paul Desiderio added 13 points and two rebounds, and Simon Camacho recorded 10 points, six rebounds, three blocks, and two assists.

Brian Heruela earned Player of the Game honors, finishing with four points, 15 assists, seven rebounds, and two steals.

Hontiveros, 48, tallied seven points, three rebounds, and three assists, while his 23-year-old son Ice added seven points and two rebounds.

Zamboanga dropped its fourth straight game, now 1-6, despite Paeng Are’s 21 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.

The tournament continues Wednesday at Ynares Center Montalban, featuring Manila vs. Pasay at 4 p.m., Gensan vs. Negros at 6 p.m., and host Rizal Xentromall taking on Basilan at 8 p.m.