MANILA, Philippines — San Juan and Meycauayan Marilao won in contrasting fashion to secure top-4 playoff slots in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season elimination phase at the Olivarez College Gym in Sucat, Paranaque.
The San Juan Knights clobbered the Paranaque Patriots, 145-72, in the nightcap while the Meycauayan Marilao Gems weathered the Cebu Greats' final assault to prevail, 80-79, in the opener of a triple-bill.
San Juan improved its record to 20-3 and, with two more games to play in the regular season, can finish from No. 1 to 3 in the North division.
If San Juan beats Ilagan Isabela and Bulacan and pacesetter Abra Solid North (22-2) loses to Caloocan (18-4) on Thursday, the Knights will emerge as the top qualifier, having conquered both the Batang Kankaloo and the Weavers in the eliminations.
Harold Alarcon led San Juan with 17 points, followed by Nikko Panganiban with 16, JP Boral with 15, AC Soberano, Reyland Torres and Kenneth Villapando with 14 each, Jearico Nunez with 12 and Terrence Fortea with 11.
Paranaque, which fielded only seven players, closed its campaign with a 2-23 slate despite James Mangahas' 23 points and Bryan Dela Rosa's 21.
Meycauayan escapes Cebu
Ahead 80-73 with 4 minutes and 3 seconds to go, the Meycauayan Marilao Gems went silent, allowing the Greats to threaten at 79-80 after two charities each by Ichie Altamirano and Limuel Tampus sandwiched a slam by Mark Meneses.
Cebu, however, fell short as it also couldn't buy a bucket in the last 2 minutes and 42 seconds, with Altamirano missing a triple try with 8.7 seconds left and Tampus muffing a jumper with 5.1 ticks to go.
The Gems improved to 14-10 and are assured of the fourth slot and the homecourt advantage in the North division quarterfinal playoffs.
Cebu dropped to 19-6 and ranks fifth in the South division, behind Binan (20-4), Quezon Province (17-4), Batangas (17-5) and Gensan (16-5).
Agem Miranda sparkled for the Gems with 16 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists, followed by Jayson Aolonio, with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists, and Robin Nayve, with 10 points and 3 steals.
The Gems converted 7 of 23 triple attempts for 30.4 percent, while the Greats misfired, sinking only 2 of 17 tries for 11.8 percent.
Cebu drew 23 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks from Tampus; 16 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals from Simon Camacho, and 14 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks from Mark Meneses.
Mindoro thwarts Quezon City
The Mindoro Tamaraws thwarted the Quezon City Black Bulls, 65-61, in the second game to climb to 13-11 and solo seventh in the South division.
Veteran Bambam Gamalinda tallied 22 points, capped by two insurance free throws with 18.1 seconds left, 3 rebounds and 2 steals to earn best player honors over James Tibayan, who had 14 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals.
Quezon City fell to 10-13 in the North as only Jessie Sumoda struck back with 10 points and 5 rebounds.
The tournament returns to the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna, on Thursday, featuring the 5 p.m. encounter between heavyweights Abra and Caloocan. Other games pit Quezon Province against Basilan at 3 p.m., and Pasig City against Binan at 7 p.m. TMT