MANILA, Philippines — The Meycauayan Marilao Gems put the clamps on the Imus Yangkee in the second quarter and never let go to tally a runaway 120-75 victory and regain their foothold in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Riding on the triple-double of Agem Miranda and the double-double of Jayson Apolonio and Felix Apreku, the Gems bundled 12 points to pull away, 112-69, en route to their eighth win in 12 starts in the round-robin elimination round of the 28-team tournament.
MeycauauanMarilao is at fifth place in the North division behind Caloocan (12-1), Abra Solid North (10-1), San Juan (9-1) and Pasig City (7-3).
Miranda, a former Jose Rizal University Heavy Bomber, carded 23 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds for his first triple-double of the year and second as a pro that merited the SportsPlus best player accolade.
Apoloniosupportedwith 18 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists, followed by Apreku with 10 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists.
Other Gems who shone were Shawn Kenneth Argente, with 14 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists, Jeric Serrano, with 12 points and 5 assists, and Patrick Ramos, with 12 points and 2 rebounds.
Meycauayan Marilao dominated both boards, 68-30, and was more cohesive than Imus, which was held to 12 points in the second quarter and suffered its ninth straight loss for a 2-11 record.
The Yangkee drew 22 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists from Joseph Mark Marquez, 11 points, 7 assists and 2 rebounds from Ian Pardo, and 11 points and 6 rebounds from Joewish Gracia, and 10 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists from Jaypee Belencion.
The tournament returns to the Pasay Astrodome on Tuesday, featuring games between Bulacan and Ilagan Isabela at 4 p.m., Manila and Paranaque at 6 p.m., and Pasay and Cebu at 8 p.m. TMT
