Gems Shine in Impressive Season Opener, Dominate SiKat

Meycauayan Marilao made an emphatic debut in the MPBL 2026 Season on Tuesday, overwhelming Zamboanga, 94-76, to claim a share of the early lead at One Arena in Cainta, Rizal.

Led by Agem Miranda, the league’s newest team seized control midway through the fourth quarter at 80-69, maintaining a commanding lead to join San Juan, Caloocan, Cebu, Gensan, Bulacan, Mindoro, and Batangas at the top of the 28-team, two-division tournament.

Miranda, a former standout from Jose Rizal University, posted an all-around performance with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists, earning him the Best Player of the Game honors. He outshone Jimboy Pasturan, who also tallied 16 points along with 3 rebounds and 3 assists.

Coach Jonathan Banal’s squad saw several other players step up, including Migs Corteza with 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals; Jayson Apolonio, who contributed 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals; Robin Nayve with 11 points; and Felix Apreku, who grabbed 12 rebounds alongside 2 points.

“We focused on gang rebounding and playing to our strengths,” said Miranda, as the Gems managed to tie their opponents on the boards, 47-47, despite their size disadvantage.

Meycauayan took charge late in the first half, ending on a 6-0 run, capped by a Miranda putback, to lead 48-39 at halftime.

Zamboanga made a push in the third, trimming the lead to 61-69, but Apolonio and MJ Dela Virgen sparked a decisive fourth-quarter run that extended the Gems’ advantage to 90-73 with 2:10 remaining.

For Zamboanga, John Arthur Calisay led with 19 points and 2 assists, while Paeng Are contributed 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.

The tournament continues on Tuesday at the Ynares Center in Montalban with a triple-header: Iloilo vs. Bataan at 4 p.m., Imus vs. Bacolod at 6 p.m., and Caloocan vs. Rizal Province at 8 p.m.