MANILA, Philippines — The MPBL has slapped a whopping P5 million fine on the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo for deliberately forfeiting its scheduled out-of-town game against Binan Tatak Gel in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season on Sept. 5 in Polomolok, South Cotabato.
In addition, Caloocan will no longer have a home game for the rest of the regular season round-robin elimination phase.
Caloocan was beaten by Abra Solid North, 81-59, at the Alone Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna, on Thursday, pulling the Batang Kankaloo's record down to 18-5, behind the Abra Weavers' final 23-2 slate and the San Juan Knights' 20-3 in the North division of the 26-team tournament.
The Batang Kankaloo were also warned that a similar offense affecting the league would merit stiffer sanctions.
In a statement on Thursday, the MPBL reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all franchise owners are accountable for meeting their responsibilities to the league, its stakeholders, and, most importantly, to the fans.
Zamboanga subdues Negros
Zamboanga SiKat subdued Negros, 96-82, in the first game of another Sports Plus MPBL 2026 Season triple-bill on Thursday to raise its record to 11-12 in the South division.
Powered by Levi Hernandez, Zamboanga led by as many as 65-49 en route to its third straight win that put it at ninth place and in the play-in.
Hernandez posted 25 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists to capture the SportsPlus best player honors over homegrown John Mahari, with 11 points and 4 rebounds. Reggz Gabat and Brandon Wilson provided support with 9 points each.
The Negros Hacienderos ended their campaign with a 2-23 card despite Michael Alvarez's 26 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds; Reymar Caduyac's 18 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals; and DJ Howe's 15 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
The tournament returns to the Ynares Center Montalban in Rizal Province on Saturday, featuring games between Quezon Province and Imus at 3 p.m., Mindoro and Pasay at 5 p.m., and Ilagan Isabela and San Juan at 7 p.m. TMT
