Tamaraws Rally from Six Down to Stun Risers, Finish 8–0 Run

The Mindoro Tamaraws completed a thrilling comeback, edging the Bataan Risers 83–81 on Thursday in the 2026 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) season at the Batangas City Coliseum.

Trailing 75–81 with just 1:35 remaining, Mindoro went on an 8–0 run to even their record at 4–4 in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 28-team tournament.

JC Recto stabilized the Tamaraws with three of four free throws, while Bambam Gamalinda sank a crucial three-pointer to cap the rally initiated by Joseph Sedurifa’s putback off his own miss, cutting the deficit to 77–81.

Bataan’s Chris Javier then committed an unsportsmanlike foul on Recto with 49 seconds left during a clear path to the basket. Recto split his free throws to bring Mindoro within 79–81 while keeping possession. On the next possession, Gamalinda nailed the go-ahead triple, giving the Tamaraws an 82–81 lead.

After a missed jumper by Bataan’s Cani, Javier fouled Recto again. Recto missed the first free throw but converted the second to finalize the score at 83–81. Bataan had late opportunities to reclaim the lead, but Yves Sazon’s three-pointer rimmed out and Jamil Gabawan could not convert the follow-up, sealing the Risers’ fifth consecutive loss and dropping them to 3–5.

Recto, the 6-foot-4 former Mapua Cardinal from Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro, finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists, earning Best Player honors. Gamalinda added 22 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks. Mark Montuano, RJ Ramirez, and Sedurifa contributed seven points each, helping Mindoro overcome a 14–28 early second-quarter deficit.

Bataan leaned on 22 points from Sazon, 14 points with six rebounds and three assists from Tutoy Ramirez, and 10 points from Chito Jaime. Mindoro had also erased a 38–50 deficit early in the third quarter, sparked by Recto’s seven points during a 12–0 run that gave the Tamaraws a 53–52 lead with 5:25 left in the period.

The MPBL action continues Friday at the Alonte Sports Complex, featuring San Juan vs. Iloilo at 4 p.m., Pasig vs. Sarangani at 6 p.m., and host Biñan against Imus at 8 p.m.