HOOPS

Quezon, Biñan near South Finals collision

DT · Oct 22, 2026, 10:30 PM

MON Abundo powers the Quezon Huskers to a 77-67 win over the Cebu Greats to inch closer to the South Division Finals of the MPBL 2026 Season playoffs. — PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF MPBL

Quezon Province and Biñan Tatak Gel won in contrasting fashions and are close to a South Division crown collision in the SportsPlus Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2026 Season at the packed Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City on Wednesday.

Showing why they’re the back-to-back reigning division champions, the Quezon Huskers trounced the Cebu Greats, 77-67, in the nightcap, while Biñan banked on Nic Cabañero’s buzzer-beater jumper to nip the Rizal XentroMall Golden Coolers, 72-70, in the opener of the South semifinal playoffs.

Quezon and Biñan seek a repeat and a sweep of the best-of-three semifinal series at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan on Tuesday.

With eight Huskers, led by Mon Abundo, scoring at least seven points, Quezon stormed ahead 61-43 and never wavered, delighting over 11,000 spectators.

Abundo posted 11 points, laced with three triples, and four rebounds to capture the SportsPlus Best Player honors over Christian Pagaran, who chalked up 11 points, including three triples, and two rebounds.