Golden Coolers, Risers roll to lopsided victories in playoff push

Tiger Scores365

Rizal XentroMall and Bataan took care of business in convincing fashion on Tuesday, posting dominant victories to strengthen their respective playoff aspirations in the MPBL 2026 Season at the Orion Sports Complex in Bataan.

The Golden Coolers broke the game open after halftime to rout Manila Batang Quiapo, 115-86, improving to 11-6 in the elimination round behind another balanced offensive display.

Thirteen Rizal players scored, with Joel Lee Yu leading the charge with 18 points, four rebounds, and two assists. JP Sarao nearly matched him with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists in a double-double effort.

Yu also celebrated a career milestone after knocking down a three-pointer midway through the fourth quarter to become the newest member of the MPBL's 1,000-point club in his seventh season. Commissioner Emmer Oreta later presented him with the commemorative game ball.

Alwyn Alday chipped in 15 points, Laurenz Victoria filled the stat sheet with 11 points, seven assists, three rebounds, and two steals, while Jake Gaspay and Lervin Flores each contributed nine points and nine rebounds.

Rizal asserted its dominance inside, overwhelming Manila with a commanding 76-30 advantage in points in the paint.

The Batang Quiapo dropped to 2-16 despite strong performances from John Ashley Faa, who tallied 21 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, and Joe Gomez De Liano, who added 15 points and seven rebounds.

In the nightcap, Bataan kept its postseason hopes alive by dismantling Parañaque, 139-88, in one of its most explosive offensive performances of the season.

The Risers buried 20 three-pointers, with Alfred Flores catching fire for seven triples en route to 26 points, including 23 in the fourth quarter. Chito Jaime added 21 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists, highlighted by five three-pointers, to earn Best Player of the Game honors.

"Every game is important for us," Jaime said. "We try to correct our mistakes during practice and apply them in the game."

Joshua Gallano and Yves Sazon each scored 17 points, while Joey Barcuma added 16 points, nine assists, and three rebounds as Bataan improved to 7-11.

Parañaque, despite making 18 shots from beyond the arc, slipped to 2-19. Jomar Santos led the Patriots with 23 points, Marlon Monte scored 22, Ryusei Koga added 18, and Dan Sara contributed 11 in the losing effort.