The Quezon Huskers continued their ascent in the MPBL standings with a hard-fought 86–73 victory over the Bataan Risers on Tuesday night at the Quezon Convention Center. A dominant third-quarter surge proved decisive, as the Huskers outscored the Risers 28–14 to turn a tight contest into a comfortable home win.

Match Overview

The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading leads. Bataan's speedy backcourt, led by guard Mark Rivera, gave Quezon fits early, as the Risers shot 50% from the field in the opening two quarters. However, Quezon's size advantage in the frontcourt kept them in the game, and they entered halftime trailing just 44–41.

The third quarter belonged entirely to the Huskers. Coach Philip Cezar made defensive adjustments, switching to a 2-3 zone that clogged the paint and forced Bataan into contested jumpers. Offensively, Quezon's star forward Raymond Torres caught fire, scoring 12 points in the period alone, including two thunderous dunks that electrified the home crowd. By the end of the third, the Huskers led 69–58.

Bataan refused to go quietly. Rivera hit consecutive triples early in the fourth to cut the deficit to six, but Quezon answered with a 9–2 run capped by a step-back jumper from guard Jericho Cruz. The Risers would get no closer than nine points the rest of the way, as Quezon's free-throw shooting (15-of-20 in the final quarter) sealed the win.

Key Statistics and Performances

• Raymond Torres (Quezon): Finished with a game-high 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. He shot 11-of-18 from the field.
• Jericho Cruz (Quezon): Added 18 points and 7 assists, orchestrating the offense with poise.
• Mark Rivera (Bataan): Scored 22 points and dished 5 assists, but his efforts were not enough.
• Bench contribution: Quezon's bench outscored Bataan's 24–8, a critical factor in the win.
• Three-point shooting: Quezon made 9-of-23 (39%); Bataan hit 10-of-31 (32%).
• Turnovers: Bataan committed 17 turnovers, leading to 22 Quezon points.

Tactical Story

The game turned on Quezon's defensive switch in the third quarter. By dropping into a zone, they neutralized Bataan's pick-and-roll game and forced the Risers into isolation plays. With Rivera the only reliable creator, Bataan's offense became predictable. Quezon also dominated the offensive glass, grabbing 12 rebounds that led to second-chance points, keeping momentum alive during cold shooting stretches.

Bataan's coach Ramil Cruz lamented his team's inability to adjust: "We knew they would go zone, but our execution was poor. We rushed shots instead of moving the ball." The Risers' reliance on perimeter shooting backfired when the shots stopped falling.

Impact on Standings and Season

The win improves Quezon's record to 12–5, solidifying their place among the top four in the MPBL Northern Division. With the playoffs approaching, each victory carries extra weight. Bataan falls to 8–9, still in the playoff hunt but now needing to string together wins. Both teams next face division rivals: Quezon travels to face the Nueva Ecija Capitals, while Bataan hosts the San Juan Knights.

For Quezon, the emergence of Torres as a consistent scoring threat alongside Cruz gives them a potent one-two punch. If their bench continues to produce, the Huskers could be a dark horse contender come postseason time. The Risers, meanwhile, must shore up their defense and find secondary scoring options to support Rivera.