Iloilo turns back Manila rally for first MPBL win

MANILA, Philippines, April 30 ------ The Iloilo United Royals averted a major collapse and bested Manila Batang Quiapo, 101-96 in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Baliwag Star Arena in Bulacan.

Way ahead, 72-50, Iloilo turned cold in the fourth quarter, allowing Manila to briefly seize control at 93-92 with 2 minutes and 14 seconds to go. Kyt Jimenez and Levi Hernandez, however, combined for nine points in the homestretch to preserve the United Royals' first win after three losses in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 28-team tournament.

Hernandez posted 36 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists to clinch the SportsPlus best player honors over Jimenez, with 17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Paul Sanga contributed 12 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists for Iloilo before sustaining a hand injury late in the fourth quarter. With Doligon at the helm, Batang Quiapo bundled 13 points to threaten at 78-79, paving the way for the see-saw finish.

Manila absorbed its third loss in four starts despite John Ashley Faa's 26 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds, Mark Doligon's 24 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists, and Alfred Sedillo's 10 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists. The tournament goes to the Batangas City Coliseum on Thursday, featuring games between Valenzuela and Negros at 4 p.m., Marikina against Caloocan at 6 p.m., and Binan against Batangas at 8 p.m.

Source: manilatimes.net