Yambing fuels Batangas rally; Chavez powers Rizal past Zamboanga

Batangas City Tanduay Athletics erased a 15-point deficit to edge Valenzuela City Darkhorse, 93-91, while Rizal XentroMall leaned on a fourth-quarter explosion from JR Chavez to defeat Zamboanga SiKat, 91-83, on Tuesday in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season at the Batangas City Coliseum.

Batangas spent most of the night playing catch-up before mounting a furious comeback in the second half. The Athletics repeatedly drew level at 67, 70, and 72, only for Valenzuela to regain control and build a 77-72 advantage.

Rhinwill Yambing then took over, scoring nine points during an 11-point Batangas run that turned the tide and gave the Athletics an 83-77 lead they never surrendered.

Although Batangas struggled from the free-throw line late, converting only three of eight attempts, Valenzuela failed to capitalize. After Jay Collado buried a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 85-83 with 45 seconds remaining, the Darkhorse went scoreless the rest of the way as Ino Comboy, Yambing, and Ced Ablaza knocked down enough free throws to preserve the victory.

The win was Batangas' 11th in a row, improving the Athletics to 13-2 and keeping them within striking distance of South Division leader Gensan (14-2).

Yambing earned Best Player of the Game honors with 18 points, five rebounds, two steals, two assists, and two blocks. Jhan Nermal led Batangas in scoring with 19 points while adding seven rebounds and four assists, and Comboy chipped in 17 points and five assists.

"Credit to my teammates and the coaching staff for giving me the confidence to shoot," said the 6-foot-3 forward.

Valenzuela dropped to 8-9 despite 20 points, six rebounds, and three assists from Jay Collado. CJ Alattica added 17 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while Angelo Obuyes contributed 14 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

In the second game, JR Chavez caught fire in the fourth quarter as Rizal XentroMall rallied past Zamboanga SiKat, 91-83.

Entering the game with Rizal trailing 68-61, Chavez sparked a 12-3 run that gave his team the lead. After Zamboanga briefly moved back in front on a Reggz Gabat three-pointer, Rizal answered with a decisive 19-point surge, highlighted by eight straight points from Chavez.

The victory lifted Rizal to 10-5.

Chavez scored all 15 of his points in the final period and added three assists in just 8 minutes and 48 seconds to earn Best Player of the Game honors. Bill Robles contributed 14 points and nine rebounds, Mark Yee added 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Laurenz Victoria finished with 12 points, six assists, and five rebounds.

According to Chavez, he stays ready whenever his number is called, drawing confidence from the trust of his teammates.

"It boosts my confidence and gives me extra energy," Chavez said.

Zamboanga slipped to 5-10 despite 17 points from Paeng Are, 15 points and seven rebounds from Joseph Gabayni, and 10 points each from Brandon Wilson and Reggz Gabat.