Baetiong powers Cebu's second-half surge as Gems snap skid against Pasig

4 hours ago

After enduring back-to-back home losses, Cebu found its rhythm again—and Alvin Baetiong made sure the turnaround was emphatic.

Baetiong erupted after halftime as the Gems rolled past Pasig City, 108-86, on Saturday at the Orion Sports Complex, returning to the win column in the MPBL 2026 Season.

The former San Sebastian standout sparked Cebu's decisive breakaway, scoring nine points in the third quarter before pouring in 12 more in the fourth as the Gems stretched the margin to as many as 26 points before settling for the convincing victory.

The triumph lifted Cebu to 15-5, keeping the Gems in fourth place in the South Division behind Batangas City (15-2), Quezon Province (15-2), and Biñan (15-3).

Playing against his former squad, Baetiong delivered 23 points and seven rebounds in fewer than 19 minutes of action.

"I just did what my coaches told me to do," Baetiong said. "We really need to step up because of Simon (Camacho's) absence."

Cebu also received solid contributions from Ron Dennison, who finished with 15 points, five rebounds, and two assists, while Limuel Tampos added 12 points, four assists, and two rebounds.

Pasig attempted one last rally after Jerome Garcia buried consecutive three-pointers to trim the deficit to 15, 101-86. The Gems quickly slammed the door shut with a 7-0 finishing burst, highlighted by consecutive triples from Dondon Hontiveros and Ichie Altamirano.

Pasig fell to 9-7 despite 17 points from Jacob Galicia. Keith Pido and Michael Lambino added 14 points each, while Warlo Batac chipped in 12 points, five assists, and four rebounds.

The Pasigueños remained fifth in the North Division standings behind Abra, San Juan, Caloocan, and Ilagan Isabela.

The MPBL continues on Monday at Villar Coliseum in Las Piñas, where Meycauayan faces Mindoro, Biñan battles Valenzuela, and Sarangani takes on Manila.