MANILA, Philippines — The Caloocan Batang Kankaloo unleashed a strong finishing kick to trounce the Bataan Risers, 100-81, on Wednesday and tighten its grip of the North division lead in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the One Arena Cainta in Rizal Province.
Bataan moved to within 80-86, but Jeff Manday drilled in a triple to trigger a 14-1 spurt that raised Caloocan's record to 13-1, widening its gap against reigning national champion Abra Solid North (10-1) and San Juan (9-1) in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 28-team tournament.
Dom Escobar presided over Caloocan's romp with 22 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists and was chosen the SportsPlus best player over Manday, who tallied 18 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals.
Other Batang Kankaloo who shone were Jammer Jamito, with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists, Chris Bitoon, with 12 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists, and Kymani Ladi, with 10 points, highlighted by an alley oop dunk that pushed Caloocan ahead, 83-72.
Jamito followed suit with a one-handed slam that sealed the outcome, 95-80, with 1 minute and 36 seconds left.
Bataan, which skidded to 5-8, got 20 points, laced with five triples, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, from Hubert Cani; 16 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds from Alfred Flores, 12 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists from Tutoy Ramirez, and 11 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists from Chris Javier.
A triple by Flores pushed Bataan ahead, 20-18, after the first quarter.
Harvey Pagsanjan bunched five points against two free throws by Robbi Darang padded Caloocan's lead to 46-35 at halftime.
The tournament returns to the Batangas City Complex on Thursday, featuring games between San Juan and Pasig at 4 p.m., Marikina and Quezon Province at 6 p.m., and Batangas and Sarangani at 8 p.m. TMT
