The Quezon Huskers overpowered the Bulacan Kuyas, 88-63, to extend their hot run in the SportsPlus Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2026 Season at the Malolos Convention Center in Bulacan on Wednesday.

With Judel Fuentes at the helm, the Huskers led as far as 86-58 en route to their fifth straight win and a 13-2 slate in the South division, where they are the reigning back-to-back champions.

Fuentes posted 23 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals to earn the SportsPlus Best Player honors as the Huskers moved closer to the Batangas City Tanduay Athletics (14-2) in the race for the eight division playoff slots.

“We’re always ready as our coaches urge us to give everything during practices,” Fuentes said.

“We really need to play well and adapt as we’re going up against San Juan in our next game.”

High-flyer Jolo Manansala supported with 12 points, seven rebounds and two assists, followed by Cyrus Tabi with 10 points, seven assists and four rebounds, and bull-strong Cedric Manzano with nine points, 15 rebounds and three assists.

The Kuyas scored the first basket, only for the Huskers to counter with a 12-point cluster and never yield control.

Bulacan, which tumbled t0 14-3, drew 16 points, five rebounds and three assists from Jonathan Medina, 13 points, three rebounds and two assists from Benedict Benedictos, and 10 points, five rebounds and two assists from Jeremy Cruz.

Meanwhile, the Meycauayan Marilao Gems pulled off a come-from-behind 105-100 stunner against Pasig in the second game thriller.

Behind, 82-96, with 2:58 left, Meycauayan Marilao bunched 16 points, 11 by Shawn Argente, to snatch its 10th win in 18 starts.

Meycauayan Marilao trailed Abra Solid North (15-1), San Juan (14-1), Caloocan (17-2), Ilagan Isabela (12-6) and Pasig (9-7) in the North division playoff race.

Argente, a 23-year-old former Jose Rizal University Heavy Bomber, finished with 30 points, spiked by five triples, and two rebounds to capture the SportsPlus Best Player honors over Agem Miranda, who had 20 points, three rebounds and three assists.

“My coaches and my teammates give me the confidence to shoot,” Argente said.

“Of course, I’ve been practicing those shots.”