Rizal, Bataan score dominant wins to boost playoff bids

The Rizal XentroMall Golden Coolers turned a close contest into a rout in the second half, defeating Manila Batang Quiapo, 115-86, on Tuesday in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season at the Orion Sports Complex in Bataan.

Balanced scoring fueled Rizal's victory, with 13 players finding the basket as the Golden Coolers improved to 11-6 in the 27-team round-robin eliminations to bolster their playoff campaign.

Joel Lee Yu led the way with 18 points, four rebounds, and two assists, narrowly edging teammate JP Sarao for Best Player of the Game honors. Sarao recorded a double-double of 17 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists.

Yu also reached a personal milestone after sinking a three-pointer with 6:35 left in the game to give Rizal a 99-73 lead and become the newest member of the MPBL's 1,000-point club. Commissioner Emmer Oreta later presented him with the game ball in recognition of the achievement.

Alwyn Alday added 15 points and four rebounds, Laurenz Victoria contributed 11 points, seven assists, three rebounds, and two steals, while Jake Gaspay and Lervin Flores each finished with nine points and nine rebounds.

Rizal dominated the interior throughout the contest, outscoring Manila, 76-30, in points in the paint.

Manila dropped to 2-16 despite 21 points, eight rebounds, and six assists from John Ashley Faa. Joe Gomez De Liano chipped in 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

In the second game, the Bataan Risers overwhelmed the Parañaque Patriots, 139-88, to keep their North Division playoff hopes alive.

Bataan improved to 7-11 after connecting on 20 three-pointers, with Alfred Flores draining seven triples and Chito Jaime adding five.

Flores erupted for 26 points, including 23 in the fourth quarter, while Jaime posted 21 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists to earn Best Player of the Game honors.

"Every game is important for us," Jaime said. "We try to correct our mistakes during practice and apply them in the game."

Joshua Gallano scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds, Yves Sazon added 17 points, while Joey Barcuma contributed 16 points, nine assists, and three rebounds.

Parañaque fell to 2-19 despite 23 points from Jomar Santos, 22 from Marlon Monte, 18 from Ryusei Koga, and 11 from Dan Sara.