MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon Huskers led throughout and routed the Negros Hacienderos, 114-70, on Tuesday in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Quezon City District 2 Gymnasium.
With all 15 players scoring, the Huskers pulled away at the break, 65-40, and never slowed down to climb to 17-4 in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 26-team tournament.
Quezon, the reigning South division back-to-back champion, trails only Binan Tatak Gel in the race for the top four playoff spots that carry the homecourt advantage.
John Abate posted 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists to capture the SportsPlus best player honors over Dom Vera, with 14 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds, for the Huskers, who recovered from the 67-84 beating handed to them by the Gensan Warriors last Saturday in Polomolok, South Cotabato.
Other Huskers who delivered were Jason Opiso with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists; Joseph Penaredondo with 12 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists; and Chris Lalata with 10 points and 2 rebounds.
With Lander Canon pulling down 9 rebounds and Cholo Anonuevo 8, the Huskers ruled the boards, 61-30, and outscored the Hacienderos underneath, 54-18.
Also-ran Negros, which dropped to 2-22, drew 16 points, 8 assists, and 2 rebounds from DJ Howe, 13 points, 5 assists ad 4 rebounds from Reymar Caduyac, and 10 points, 9 rebounds and 2 steals from Michael Alvarez.
With their different combinations working effectively, the Huskers built a 91-64 spread after three quarters.
Zamboanga Sikat won by default over Manila, 20-0, and improved to 10-12. Manila exited the regular season with a 1-24 slate.
The tournament visits the Olivarez College Gym in Sucat, Paranaque, on Wednesday, featuring games between Cebu and Meycauayan at 3 p.m., Mindoro and Quezon City at 5 p.m., and San Juan and Paranaque at 7 p.m. TMT
