Batangas surges late, Rizal dominates as MPBL playoff race heats up

08-05 06:21

Batangas City saved its best basketball for the final quarter.

Locked in a tight contest against Zamboanga SiKat, the Athletics found another gear in crunch time, pulling away for a 72-62 victory Tuesday in the MPBL 2026 Season at the Ynares Center Montalban in Rizal Province.

With the score hanging in the balance at 54-53 early in the fourth quarter, Batangas unleashed a decisive 18-5 finishing run, powered by the all-around brilliance of Jhan Nermal, to improve to 15-3 and remain among the South Division's top contenders alongside Biñan and Quezon Province.

Nermal delivered when it mattered most, scoring seven points during the game-clinching run before finishing with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists to earn Best Player of the Game honors.

He received solid support from Rhinwill Yambing and Abdul Sawat, who scored nine points each, while John Ambulodto controlled the glass with 10 rebounds to go along with seven points.

Zamboanga battled throughout the night but fell to 7-12 despite 14 points from John Arthur Calisay and an all-around effort from Joseph Gabayni, who finished with 11 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and two steals.

Earlier, Rizal XentroMall turned a competitive opening quarter into a rout, overwhelming the Sarangani 10ACT Marlins, 93-65.

After holding only a one-point advantage after the opening period, the Golden Coolers erupted for 40 points in the second quarter to seize control and never looked back, stretching the lead to as many as 33 points.

Alwyn Alday led Rizal's balanced attack with 20 points, while Jolo Mendoza added 15. Marco Balagtas contributed 13 points, and Lervin Flores recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds as the Golden Coolers improved to 12-7 and tightened their grip on sixth place in the South Division.

Alex Desoyo finished with 21 points and eight rebounds for Sarangani, which dropped to 3-18.

MPBL action resumes Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan with Bulacan facing Pasig, Bataan taking on defending champion Abra, and Parañaque battling Basilan.