Valenzuela Darkhorse Pulls Away to Dominate Hacienderos

The Valenzuela Darkhorse turned up the intensity in the second half to overpower the Negros Hacienderos, 85-67, on Thursday at the Batangas City Coliseum, gaining momentum in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season.

Trailing narrowly at halftime, 39-37, Valenzuela relied on the trio of Shaq Alanes, Lester Reyes, and Jay Collado to create a decisive lead, outscoring Negros 28-11 in the third quarter to go up 67-48, en route to their second consecutive victory after back-to-back losses in the 28-team, two-division tournament.

Alanes spearheaded the effort with 14 points, including three three-pointers, along with five rebounds and three assists. He shared top player honors with JR Olegario, who also scored 14 points with four assists and three rebounds, and Angelo Obuyes, who added 14 points and three rebounds.

Geremy Robinson Jr. contributed 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Lester Reyes chipped in eight points, hitting two triples. Valenzuela shot an impressive 45 percent from three, going 9-of-20, with Alanes making 3-of-4 and Reyes hitting both of his attempts from deep.

“We're just following Coach Estong Ballesteros’ system,” said Alanes, a former Lyceum Pirates standout. “He wants us to stay hungry. We’re just helping each other out.”

Negros suffered its third straight loss, with only Jan Formento and Carl Joshua Alattica providing consistent resistance. Formento tallied 18 points, four assists, three rebounds, and three steals, while Alattica contributed 12 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three blocks.

The MPBL continues Friday at the Alonte Sports Arena, with Meycauayan Marilao facing Quezon Province at 4 p.m., Marikina taking on Caloocan at 6 p.m., and host Biñan clashing with Basilan at 8 p.m.