QUEZON Province and Biñan Tatak Gel target South Division Finals slots against different opponents on Tuesday in the SportsPlus MPBL 2026 Season at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.
The Quezon Huskers battle the Cebu Greats at 5 p.m., while the Lagunenses tackle the Rizal XentroMall Golden Coolers at 7 p.m.
Quezon won the series opener, 77-67, and will try to extend its South reign to three years with another victory.
The Huskers will be led by talented recruits Jolo Manansala, Chris Lalata and Cholo Añonuevo, and holdovers Judel Fuentes, Diego Dario, Christian Pagaran, Joshua Yerro and Mon Abundo.
Missing big men Cedric Manzano and Will McAloney, Quezon was outrebounded, 34-45, in Game 1, but compensated with more assists (21-13) and fewer turnovers (11-19).
Cebu continues to draw firepower from Mark Meneses, with 27 points and 10 rebounds, but the other Greats were held to single digits, with Simon Camaco contributing 9 points and10 rebounds, and Dhon Reverente chipping in 9 points and 9 rebounds.
Although Biñan has the homecourt advantage, Rizal has proven to be tough to crack.
It took a buzzer-beating jumper from Nic Cabañero for Biñan to nip Rizal, 72-70, in Game 1 and keep its bid for a second straight South Finals stint, after losing to Quezon, 2-3, last year.
Cabañero leads the MVP race, but the former star of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers needs help from Carlo Lastimosa, Kenny Rocacurva, Warren Bonifacio, Jaymar Gimpayan, Michael Mabulac and Pamboy Raymuindo for Biñan to succeed.
Rizal will lean on Jolo Mendoza, Laurenz Victoria, Billy Robles, AJ Coronel, Alwyn Alday and Jake Gaspay.
