The Caloocan Batang Kankaloo went full throttle in the fourth quarter and routed the Imus Yangkee, 122-90, on Monday in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the One Arena Cainta in Rizal Province.
Ahead by 12, the Batang Kankaloo bundled 20 points to move beyond reach, 115-83, and raised their record to 15-2 in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 27-team tournament.
Caloocan trails defending champion Abra Solid North (14-1) and San Juan (13-1) in the race for the top four playoff spots in the North Division.
The Batang Kankaloo started cold, trailing the Yangkee, 18-21, after the first quarter, but Kean Baclaan hit his stride in the second with 15 points and gave Caloocan control at halftime, 53-42.
Baclaan, former spark plug of the De La Salle Green Archers, finished with 21 points, five assists and three rebounds and ran away with Best Player honors over former Ateneo Blue Eagles star Kymani Ladi, who tallied 13 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.
“We really need to raise our level (of play) as there are tough games ahead,” said Baclaan, referring to Caloocan’s next game against Cebu on Thursday at the Hoops Dome in Lapu Lapu City, Mactan.
Dom Escobar backed them with 11 points, three rebounds and three assists; Jammer Jamito with 10 points and five rebounds; and Ronnie Matias with 19 rebounds and six points.
Imus stumbled to 2-15 despite Janjan Salazar’s 28 points, five steals, three rebounds and three assists; and Jaypee Belencion’s 20 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Batac lifts Pasig past Valenzuela
Warlo Batac drove in before the final buzzer to lift Pasig City past Valenzuela City, 102-100, in the second game.
Reprising his game-clinching drive against Mindoro on July 6, Batac spun and soared for the marginal basket with 0.16 seconds left that boosted Pasig’s slate to 9-6.
Batac tallied 21 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and two steals to cop the Best Player plum over Jacob Galicia, who registered 20 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two blocks; and Jerome Garcia, who recorded 23 points, four rebounds and two assists.
JR Raflores contributed 15 points and two rebounds; and John Felix Corpuz 10 points, five rebounds and two assists in Pasig’s climb from an 87-95 hole with 4:04 to go.
Valenzuela, which fell to 8-10, drew 18 points, 12 rebounds and two assists from CJ Alattica; 19 points, three rebounds and three assists from JR Olegario; 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals from Geremy Robinsons, and 14 points plus six assists from Shaq Alanes.
Marikina turns back Bacolod
The Marikina Shoemasters weathered the Bacolod Maskarras’ spirited comeback to prevail, 107-100, in the opener.
Just when the Shoemasters appeared cruising to victory, 95-86, Desmond Price staged a one-man assault, pouring in 11 straight points, highlighted by three triples, that pushed the Masskaras to within 97-99 with 1:34 left.
The Shoemasters kept their composure, however, scoring eight points against another triple by Price, in the last 1:06 to improve to 7-11.
Jason Strait pumped in 14 points in the third quarter and shoved Marikina ahead, 81-72, from a 52-54 halftime deficit.
With 18 points, five rebounds and three assists in 27 minutes and 53 seconds of play, Strait was chosen Best Player over Jethro Escoto, who had 21 points, four steals, two rebounds and two assists; and Regie Boy Basibas, with 15 points, 14 rebounds and four assists.
“After the (halftime) huddle, the coaches told us to put up a tight fight. I’m thankful to my teammates and coaches for trusting me,” said the 6-foot-4 Strait.
Jordan Sta. Ana also shone for the Shoemasters with 14 points, seven assists, six rebounds and four steals, and so did JR Alabanza, with 12 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks.
Price, acquired from Batangas during the trading window, finished with 36 points – spiked by seven triples – six assists and four rebounds for Bacolod, which tumbled to 3-17.
The Maskarras drew 13 points, 15 rebounds and five assists from Rafael Go; 11 points, eight rebounds and two assists from Ram Mesqueriola; 10 points, six rebounds and two assists from Emman Galman; and 10 points plus six assists from Jeremy Monton.
The tournament visits the Navotas Convention Center for the first time on Tuesday, featuring games between Meycauayan and San Juan at 4 p.m.; Quezon and Bataan at 6 p.m.; and Zamboanga and Sarangani at 8 p.m