The Quezon City Galeries Taipan secured a hard-fought 76-71 road victory over the Valenzuela Classic in a tightly contested MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) matchup on Friday, September 25, 2026. The win boosts the Taipan’s playoff ambitions while leaving the Classic to regroup after a late-game collapse at the Valenzuela Sports Complex.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, both teams traded blows in a physical, defense-first battle that felt more like a postseason game than a regular-season fixture. Valenzuela came out aggressive, using their home crowd to fuel an early 12-5 run behind crisp ball movement and second-chance opportunities. But Quezon City weathered the storm, closing the first quarter on a 9-2 surge to trim the deficit to just two points, 18-16.

The second quarter turned into a grind. Neither side shot better than 40% from the field, and turnovers mounted as the defenses tightened. The Classic held a slim 35-33 lead at halftime, thanks in large part to their work on the offensive glass, where they grabbed seven first-half offensive rebounds. The Taipan, meanwhile, struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 2 of 11 three-point attempts before the break.

Key Moments

The game flipped in the third quarter. Quezon City opened the second half with a 14-3 run over the first five minutes, turning a two-point deficit into a 47-38 lead. The surge was sparked by back-to-back steals that led to easy transition baskets, forcing Valenzuela head coach to burn two timeouts in quick succession. The Classic responded with a run of their own, cutting the lead to 54-50 heading into the final period.

In the fourth quarter, Valenzuela tied the game at 62-62 with just over six minutes remaining on a corner three-pointer. But the Taipan answered with a decisive 8-0 run, capped by a tough and-one drive from their starting point guard. The Classic had chances to close the gap in the final two minutes, but missed four of their last five field goal attempts and turned the ball over twice in critical possessions. Quezon City iced the game at the free-throw line, going 6-of-8 in the final 30 seconds.

Tactical Story

The Taipan’s victory was built on defense and rebounding. After being outworked on the boards in the first half, Quezon City dominated the glass in the second, finishing with a 42-36 rebounding edge. They also forced 16 Valenzuela turnovers, converting them into 18 points. The Classic, meanwhile, shot just 38% from the field and 28% from three-point range, well below their season averages.

Quezon City’s half-court offense relied heavily on high pick-and-roll action, with their guards consistently attacking the paint and kicking out to open shooters. Though their three-point shooting was inconsistent, they made timely shots in the fourth quarter. Defensively, the Taipan switched aggressively on screens, disrupting Valenzuela’s rhythm and forcing them into contested mid-range jumpers.

Standout Players

• Quezon City Galeries Taipan: Guard JR Ocampo led all scorers with 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, including 10 points in the decisive third-quarter run. Forward Christian Santos added a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Mark Villanueva chipped in 13 points off the bench.
• Valenzuela Classic: Paul Garcia paced the home team with 18 points and 6 assists, but shot just 6-of-17 from the field. Big man Rafael Torres recorded 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Jayson Lim added 11 points, though he fouled out with 1:45 remaining.

Season Impact

With the win, the Quezon City Galeries Taipan improve their record in the MPBL standings and strengthen their position in the playoff race. The victory is their third in their last four games, signaling that they are peaking at the right time. For Valenzuela, the loss drops them further back in the tight mid-table battle, and it marks their second consecutive home defeat—a worrying trend as the season progresses.

The Classic will need to address their late-game execution and perimeter shooting if they hope to climb back into contention. Meanwhile, the Taipan’s balanced attack and defensive versatility make them a dangerous opponent down the stretch.

What’s Next

Valenzuela Classic will look to bounce back when they hit the road next week against a fellow playoff hopeful. Quezon City Galeries Taipan return home for a crucial showdown against one of the league’s top teams, aiming to extend their winning streak and solidify their standing in the MPBL playoff picture.