MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City Black Bulls clamped down on the Imus Yangkee in the second half to win pulling away, 111-94, on Monday, revving up their drive for a playoff spot in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Orion Sports Complex in Bataan.
Employing a stifling full-court press, the Black Bulls, led by Patrick Buena and Jessie Sumoda, rallied from a five-point deficit to seize control after three quarters, 89-71, and proceed to tally their ninth win in 20 starts in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 26-team tournament.
Quezon City strengthened its hold on the 10th spot in the North division, stretching its lead over Marikina (7-15) and Bulacan (5-16) in the battle for play-in slots.
The top six after the eliminations will advance outright to the playoffs, with the seventh to 10th-ranked teams figuring in the knockout play-in for the last two quarterfinal seats.
Kobe Monje paced Quezon City with 18 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists and was chosen the SportsPlus best player over Sumoda, who tallied 18 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, and Buena, who notched 15 points, 6 assists and 2 steals.
A buzzer-beater triple by Ian Pardo gave Imus a 49-44 lead at the half.
Imus tumbled to 3-18 despite Christian Ferrer's 19 points, John Jezer Calma's 15, Pardo's 13, Harold Lomlong's 12, and Jaypee Belencion's 11.
The tournament returns to the Pasay Astrodome on Tuesday, featuring games between Pasig and Manila at 5 p.m., and Quezon Province and Pasay at 7 p.m. TMT
