The Valenzuela Classic snatched a hard-fought 87–82 road victory over the Bulacan Kuyas in the MPBL on July 31, 2026, handing the home side a frustrating defeat at their own venue. The game, which tipped off at 7:00 PM, lived up to its billing as a tight regional rivalry, with the Classic overcoming an early deficit and closing the contest with a decisive late surge.

Game Overview

Bulacan came out with energy, feeding off the home crowd and building a lead that stretched to double digits in the second quarter. However, Valenzuela's defense tightened in the third period, forcing turnovers and converting in transition to swing momentum. The Classic took their first meaningful lead midway through the fourth quarter and never looked back, calmly knocking down free throws in the final minute to seal the win.

Key Moments

• The Turning Point: Valenzuela went on a 12–2 run bridging the third and fourth quarters, erasing a nine-point deficit and shifting the game's tempo.
• Clutch Free Throws: After Bulacan cut the lead to three with under a minute remaining, Valenzuela answered with four straight makes from the charity stripe to ice the game.
• Defensive Pressure: The Classic forced five fourth-quarter turnovers, repeatedly turning defense into easy layups.

Players of the Game

For the visitors, the backcourt duo of the Classic carried the scoring load, combining for nearly half of the team's points. Their ability to penetrate the Kuyas' half-court defense and create open looks proved decisive. Meanwhile, Bulacan were led by their veteran forward, whose inside presence kept the home team competitive through the third quarter, but he lacked sufficient support in the closing stages.

Impact on the Standings

The win improves Valenzuela's standing in the MPBL North Division race, giving them crucial momentum as the regular season trend toward the playoffs. For Bulacan, the loss stings as a missed opportunity to solidify their position — they now find themselves with work to do in the crowded middle of the table. With matchups against fellow playoff aspirants coming up, both sides know that consistency in fourth-quarter execution will be essential.