THE San Juan Knights foiled the Muntinlupa Cagers’ final rally to prevail, 81-73, on Monday and secure a Group B playoff spot in the 2026 MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Preseason Invitational at the Marikina Sports Center.
Muntinlupa bunched seven points to threaten, 73-76, but the Knights silenced the Cagers in the last 3 minutes and 59 seconds to notch their sixth straight win, assuring them of finishing in the top three after the round-robin eliminations of the nine-team group.
Terrence Fortea drilled in a triple, and Michael Calisaan scored on a follow-up in the homestretch to widen San Juan’s gap over Muntinlupa, which is out of contention with a 2-4 record.
Former University of the Philippines star Harold Alarcon was chosen the best player with 12 points and 5 rebounds, over Calisaan, who notched 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Other Knights who shone were Reyland Torres with 11 points and 4 rebounds, and Patrick Sleat with 7 points, 5 assists and 2 steals.
Muntinlupa drew 20 points and 4 assists from MJ Dela Virgen, 15 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists from Miguel Ives Corteza, and 12 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds and 2 steals from Shawn Argente.
Ilagan Isabela trounced Zamboanga SiKat, 78-63, in the opener, while Bacolod subdued Sarangani 10ACT, 82-74, in the second game.
JL Delos Santos, JP Cauilan, Arth Dela Cruz and Jayboy Solis provided the firepower as the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys led by as many as 70-48, before coasting to their third win against four losses.
Delos Santos, thriving under Louie Gonzalez, his former coach at Jose Rizal University, posted 13 points and 2 rebounds; Dela Cruz tallied 12 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists, JP Cauilan 12 points and 5 rebounds, and Jayboy Solis 11 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
Zamboanga dropped to 1-3 as only brothers Paeng and Michael Are were able to score in double figures with 16 and 10, respectively.
Adven Diputado led Bacolod to its first win after three losses with 20 points, 4 assists, 3 steals and 2 rebounds, followed by Johnnel Bauzon with 19 points and 9 rebounds, and Nino Ibanez with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists.
Sarangani skidded to 0-6 despite Lars Sunga’s 12 points and 10 rebounds, Carl Bryan Lacap’s 11 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, Migs Pascual’s 11 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists, and Danny Marilao’s 10 points plus 3 rebounds.
The Preseason returns to the Alonte Sports Arena on Tuesday, with Marikina battling the Junior MPBL D-League Selection at 3 p.m., Quezon Province against Caloocan at 5 p.m., and Batangas against host Binan at 7 p.m.
