Valenzuela snaps three-game skid with rout of Imus

The Valenzuela City Darkhorse returned to the win column in emphatic fashion, overpowering the Imus Yangkees, 129-97, on Monday in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season at One Arena Cainta in Rizal.

Never allowing the game to slip away, Valenzuela controlled the contest from the opening tip and cruised to victory, ending a three-game losing streak while boosting its playoff hopes in the 27-team round-robin eliminations.

Six Darkhorse players finished in double figures, with Geremy Robinson Jr. leading the balanced attack. Valenzuela built a lead as large as 32 points, 127-95, to improve to 9-10 and climb to ninth place in the North Division.

Robinson came close to a triple-double, tallying 22 points behind four three-pointers to go along with nine rebounds, nine assists, three steals, and three blocks. Veteran Jay Collado added 20 points, four rebounds, and four assists.

"We just wanted to come back today and come back strong," said Robinson, a former University of Santo Tomas standout. "That's why my attitude was just to attack and keep pushing myself."

JR Olegario chipped in 13 points, five assists, and three rebounds, while Justin Alano also scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds. Nick Baluyot contributed 11 points, four assists, two rebounds, and two steals, while Nico Mamaradlo added 11 points and seven rebounds.

The convincing victory came after Valenzuela squandered fourth-quarter leads in losses to Marikina, Batangas, and Pasig.

Imus slipped to 2-16 despite a game-high 28 points and seven rebounds from JM Marquez. Paul Christian Ferrer added 12 points and three rebounds for the Yangkees.

MPBL action continues Tuesday at the Orion Sports Complex, with Imus facing Valenzuela at 4 p.m., Abra taking on Bacolod at 6 p.m., and Marikina battling Ilagan Isabela at 8 p.m.