Mindoro withstands Zamboanga comeback bid to secure narrow MPBL victory

The Mindoro Tamaraws survived a late-game collapse and held off Zamboanga SiKat, 83-80, on Saturday in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season at the Cebu Coliseum.

Mindoro built a commanding 26-point lead, 64-38, before Zamboanga launched a furious fourth-quarter comeback. The Tamaraws managed to weather the storm and improved to 8-8 in the 27-team league's round-robin elimination stage.

The victory nearly slipped away in the final minutes as Mindoro struggled at the free-throw line. Brian Heruela missed three attempts from the stripe, while Joseph Sedurifa failed to convert two more, giving Zamboanga a chance to send the game into overtime.

However, Levi Hernandez and Forthsky Padrigao could not connect on potential game-tying three-point attempts against Mindoro's tight defense, and neither team scored in the final 2:53 of play.

Zamboanga cut a 20-point deficit entering the fourth quarter, 72-52, with a strong finishing push led by Hernandez's three triples. Reggz Gabat added two threes, while Brandon Wilson knocked down one, but the comeback fell just short.

Bambam Gamalinda paced the Tamaraws with 14 points and eight rebounds, while RJ Ramirez was named Best Player of the Game after producing 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists.

Jayvee Dela Cruz also scored 13 points and added three assists, Marion Magat contributed 12 points and six rebounds, and Jonas Tibayan chipped in five points and two boards.

Zamboanga dropped to 6-11 despite strong performances from Padrigao and Hernandez, who scored 17 points each. Gabat finished with 14 points, while Wilson added 13.

In a video message, MPBL founder Manny Pacquiao expressed his appreciation to the fans who filled the 7,000-seat Cebu Coliseum, the Cebu basketball legends honored during the event, and the Cebu Greats for hosting the league's four-game return to Cebu.

"Grabe. I was so nervous. Fortunately, we won," said Mindoro team owner Mayor Jennifer "Ina Alegre" Cruz, who also shared her hope that the Tamaraws could host another home game in Pola, Oriental Mindoro.

Mindoro established control in the second quarter after unleashing a 13-0 run, capped by back-to-back three-pointers from Dela Cruz and Gamalinda for a 32-17 advantage. The Tamaraws then closed the first half with another strong surge, scoring 12 unanswered points highlighted by consecutive triples from Ken Bono and six straight points from Jayjay Caspe to take a commanding 47-25 lead at halftime.

MPBL action resumes Monday at One Arena in Cainta, featuring Imus against Valenzuela at 4 p.m., Abra Solid North versus Bacolod at 6 p.m., and Marikina against Ilagan Isabela at 8 p.m.