The Paranaque Patriots edged out the Negros Muscovados in a breathtaking 95–94 thriller on July 15, 2026, delivering one of the most dramatic finishes of the MPBL season. With the game tied at 94–94 in the final seconds, a clutch free throw from Patriots guard Mark Dela Cruz sealed the victory in front of a roaring home crowd at the Olivarez College Gymnasium. The one-point margin encapsulated a contest defined by momentum swings, exceptional individual performances, and high stakes in the tightly contested MPBL North–South playoff race.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, both teams traded baskets with little room for error. The Negros Muscovados, powered by their dynamic backcourt, took an early lead in the first quarter, stretching it to 28–22 by the break. However, the Paranaque Patriots responded in the second quarter with a 14–2 run, sparked by aggressive drives from forward Jericho Santos. The half ended with the Patriots holding a slim 48–46 advantage.

The third quarter saw the Muscovados reclaim control behind the sharp shooting of swingman Raffy Tolentino, who connected on three three-pointers to put his team up 72–68 entering the final period. The fourth quarter became a chess match, with neither side able to build more than a four-point lead. The game saw four lead changes in the last three minutes alone.

Key Moments

• Clutch Triple with 1:12 Left: With the Patriots trailing 92–89, Dela Cruz drained a contested step-back three-pointer from the wing, evening the score and electrifying the crowd.
• Defensive Stand (0:45): Negros’ center Kevin Salcedo blocked a layup attempt by Santos, but the Patriots recovered the loose ball. On the ensuing possession, Salcedo committed an offensive foul, giving the ball back to Paranaque.
• Go-Ahead Free Throw: With 12.4 seconds remaining and the score tied at 94, Dela Cruz drove into the paint, drew a foul from Tolentino, and calmly sank the first free throw. His second attempt rimmed out, but the Patriots secured the rebound to run out the clock.
• Last-Second Miss: On the final possession, Negros’ point guard John Paul Villanueva weaved through traffic and launched a 15-foot fadeaway that hit the back rim and bounced away, sealing the Patriots’ victory.

Standout Players

Paranaque Patriots
Mark Dela Cruz led all scorers with 28 points, including 5-of-8 from three-point range, along with 6 assists and 4 rebounds. His composure under pressure proved decisive. Forward Jericho Santos added a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, providing crucial interior presence.

Negros Muscovados
Raffy Tolentino was unstoppable from deep, finishing with 25 points on 6-of-10 from beyond the arc. Center Kevin Salcedo contributed 14 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks, anchoring the defense. Villanueva dished out 10 assists but struggled with his shot, going 3-of-12 from the field.

Impact on the Standings

The victory improved the Paranaque Patriots’ record to 14–9, strengthening their hold on fifth place in the MPBL North Division, just two games behind the league-leading Bataan Risers. For the Muscovados, the loss dropped them to 12–11, placing them seventh in the South Division, still within striking distance of a playoff berth. With only three weeks remaining in the regular season, every win carries enormous weight, and Paranaque’s ability to grind out close games could prove vital come postseason.

This 95–94 classic will be remembered as one of the most tightly contested matches of the 2026 MPBL season, highlighting the league’s growing depth and competitiveness. Both teams displayed resilience, but it was Paranaque who executed when it mattered most.