Biñan, Rizal post contrasting wins

Biñan Tatak Gel and Rizal XentroMall won in contrasting fashion to gain the inside track in the SportsPlus Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2026 Season South Division quarterfinal round on Friday at the Caloocan Sports Complex.

Powered by Nic Cabañero, Biñan thwarted Mindoro's repeated assaults to prevail, 78-70, in the nightcap, while Rizal rallied to stun Gensan, 78-73, in the playoffs opener of the two-division, 26-team tournament.

Cabanero, the pacesetter in this year's Most Valuable Player race, posted 23 points, nine rebounds, four steals and three assists to run away with the SportsPlus Best Player honors.

Pamboy Raymundo supported with 11 points, seven assists, and five rebounds, followed by surprise package John Barba, with nine points and three rebounds; and Carlo Lastimosa, with eight points.

Biñan led by as many as 11 points in the homestretch, before Heruela drilled in his fourth triple for the final count.

The Tamaraws, who came to within three points thrice, the last at 61-64 on Heruela's second triple, got 16 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks from Jayjay Caspe; 12 points, four steals, two rebounds and three assists from Heruela; and 10 points, seven rebounds and two assists from Marion Magat.

Biñan and Rizal will seek a repeat and a semifinal seat on 12 October in Game 2 of the best-of-three series.

Trailing 65-72, with only 4:12 left, Rizal, led by Jolo Mendoza, poured in 13 points against a lone charity by Gensan in that span to move within a win of advancing to the semifinal round.

Mendoza, who bundled seven points in that stretch, tallied 17 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals to emerge the Best Player over Laurenz Victoria, who posted 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Marco Balagtas and Jake Gaspay added 8 points each for Rizal, proving its 81-71 elimination-phase win over Gensan was no fluke.

Gensan drew 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists from Hesed Gabo; 14 points, six assists and three rebounds from Joshua Fontanilla; 11 points and six rebounds from Adi Santos; and 10 points, 10 rebounds and six assists from Anton Eusebio.