Huskers Take Command Early, Cruise to Win Over Tamaraws

Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL)The Quezon Huskers dominated from the start, defeating the Mindoro Tamaraws, 81-60, on Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, inching closer to the top teams in the 2026 season.

Led by Christian Pagaran, Michael Cañete, and Diego Dario, the Huskers went on a 12-0 run to build a commanding 28-15 lead by the end of the first quarter, a margin the Tamaraws couldn't overcome.

Quezon, showing the form that earned them back-to-back South Division championships, extended their lead to as much as 78-54 before cruising to their second consecutive win in the round-robin elimination phase of the 28-team, two-division tournament.

The undefeated trio of Caloocan, Bataan, and Gensan remains atop the standings with perfect 3-0 records.

Cañete earned Best Player of the Game honors with a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Pagaran contributed 14 points and three rebounds. Jolo Manansala added 12 points, six rebounds, and two assists, and John Abate chipped in 10 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.

Mindoro, which made last year’s playoffs, fell to 1-2. Marion Magat led the Tamaraws with 13 points, eight rebounds, and two assists, while Joseph Sedurifa had 10 points, four rebounds, and two assists.

Quezon dominated the boards 55-29, converting the advantage into a 32-12 lead in points in the paint.

In the night’s second game, Pasig rebounded from a slow start to rout Parañaque, 76-56.

Trailing 30-37 at halftime, the Pasigueños surged in the final quarter, pulling away to a 72-55 lead and handing the Patriots their fourth straight loss.

Warlo James Batac led Pasig with 28 points, six assists, four rebounds, and two steals. Ahron Estacio added 15 points, four steals, and two rebounds, while Jacob Galicia contributed 14 points, nine rebounds, and three assists.

Parañaque’s Alvin Pasaol posted 18 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Marlon Monte registered a double-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Ryusei Koga added 11 points and four assists.

In the opening game, the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys defeated the Imus Yangkees, 92-75, to improve to 2-1.

Veteran Alex Cabagnot earned Best Player of the Game honors with 18 points, four assists, and two rebounds, narrowly edging teammate Art Dela Cruz, who tallied 17 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.

Imus made a late push, cutting the deficit to 67-70 after a 7-0 run sparked by a Jaypee Belencion triple. However, Donald Gumaru answered with five straight points, followed by a JP Cauilan three-pointer to extend Ilagan Isabela's lead to 78-67 with 6:10 left.

Gumaru finished with 12 points, four assists, and three rebounds, while Cauilan added 13 points, three triples, four rebounds, and two assists.

The Yangkees slipped to 1-2 despite strong performances from Ralph Robin (18 points, four rebounds), Janjan Salazar (15 points, five assists, four rebounds), Eroll Soriano (14 points, five rebounds, two blocks), and Joseph Mark Marquez (13 points, four rebounds).

The league will continue on Monday at the San Jose del Monte Sports Complex in Bulacan, with matchups between Cebu and Basilan at 4 p.m., Batangas and Abra at 6 p.m., and Caloocan vs. Meycauayan-Marilao at 8 p.m.