The Sarangani Marlins pulled off a hard-fought 108–102 victory over the Negros Muscovados on July 1, 2026, in a thrilling Philippines MPBL matchup that saw both teams trade blows until the final minutes. Playing on the road, Sarangani leaned on a balanced scoring attack and clutch execution to edge out Negros in a game that featured high offensive efficiency and dramatic momentum swings.

Game Overview

The contest at the Negros venue was a back‑and‑forth affair from the opening tip. The Muscovados, playing in front of their home crowd, came out aggressive and established an early lead behind strong inside play. However, Sarangani responded with timely three‑point shooting and fast‑break baskets to keep the game tight. By halftime, the score was knotted at 54–54, setting the stage for a tense second half.

Negros seemed to seize control in the third quarter, pushing their advantage to as many as eight points midway through the period. But Sarangani refused to fade, closing the frame on a 12–4 run to tie the game again at 82–82 heading into the fourth.

Key Moments

• Fourth‑quarter surge: With the game tied at 96–96 and under four minutes remaining, Sarangani unleashed a decisive 8–2 run, highlighted by a steal‑and‑score and a corner triple that forced Negros to call a timeout.
• Free‑throw composure: The Marlins went 12‑of‑14 from the charity stripe in the final period, keeping the Muscovados at arm’s length whenever Negros tried to mount a comeback.
• Negros’ late push: Down 106–102 with 15 seconds left, the Muscovados missed a potential game‑tying three‑point attempt, allowing Sarangani to ice the game at the free‑throw line.

Standout Players

Sarangani’s leading scorer poured in 28 points on efficient shooting, including four three‑pointers, while also dishing out six assists. The Marlins’ frontcourt duo combined for 22 rebounds and five blocks, controlling the glass in crucial stretches.

For Negros, their star guard finished with a game‑high 31 points and seven rebounds, but he received limited help from the bench. The Muscovados’ lack of depth in the second unit proved costly as Sarangani’s reserves outscored theirs 30–14.

Season Impact

The win lifted Sarangani to a 5‑2 record in the MPBL standings, keeping them in contention for a top‑four seed in their division. Negros dropped to 4‑3, but the loss did not significantly damage their playoff hopes. Both teams will look to build on this performance as the season progresses, with the Marlins showcasing their ability to win close games on the road—a valuable asset come postseason time.