Eusebio Powers Warriors to Third Straight Win, Dominating Shoemasters

The Gensan Warriors used a powerful scoring outburst to defeat the Marikina Shoemasters, 81-64, on Thursday, claiming a share of the top spot in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season standings at the Orion Sports Complex in Bataan.

Although the Shoemasters jumped to an early 15-4 lead, the Warriors responded with an unstoppable 26-2 run that bridged the second and third quarters, taking control at 30-17 and never looking back. This performance marked Gensan's third consecutive victory in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 28-team tournament.

Anton Eusebio was the catalyst for Gensan’s surge, scoring seven of his 16 points during the pivotal stretch, while Jeepy Faundo contributed five points and Marwin Dionisio added four. The 6-foot-5 Eusebio, a Fil-Canadian forward from the College of St. Benilde Blazers, also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out two assists, earning Best Player honors over Marikina’s Kris Porter, who finished with 17 points and two rebounds.

Dionisio posted a near double-double with nine points, nine rebounds, and two assists, while Nelo Santos also chipped in nine points and four rebounds. Val Acuna added nine points—all from three-point range—along with four rebounds.

For Marikina, Deo Timajo led the charge with 23 points, while Kris Porter added 17. Vince Andrei Sarmiento contributed nine points, four rebounds, and two assists, while Jethro Escoto had eight points, six rebounds, and two steals. Louie Vigil finished with seven points, five rebounds, and two assists.

Despite Porter’s early nine points, Gensan extended its lead to as much as 46-27 midway through the third quarter, cruising to victory and tying the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo for the top spot in the standings.

Next up, the tournament heads to Paco Arena in Manila on Friday, with Valenzuela facing Sarangani at 4 p.m., Iloilo taking on Zamboanga at 6 p.m., and Negros battling Biñan at 8 p.m.