SiKat maul Patriots to keep playoff hopes alive

Zamboanga SiKat kept its playoff hopes alive with a dominant 130-76 victory over Parañaque on Tuesday in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season at the Pasay Astrodome.

Powered by Levi Hernandez and Brandon Wilson, Zamboanga improved to 8-11 in the round-robin elimination phase of the 27-team tournament, climbing to ninth place in the South Division. The top eight teams from each division will qualify for the playoffs.

Hernandez led the way with 24 points and four rebounds, while Wilson added 19 points, four rebounds, and two assists.

"We just apply what our coaches told us to do," Hernandez said. "This will also serve as good preparation for our next game against Batangas City."

Reggz Gabat contributed 18 points, four rebounds, and two assists, Christian Bunag tallied 13 points and seven rebounds, John Arthur Calisay chipped in 11 points, three rebounds, and three assists, while Joseph Gabayni finished with 10 points and eight rebounds.

Parañaque fell to 2-20 despite 15-point performances from Domark Matillano and James Mangahas. John Michael Cruz and Jomar Santos added 12 points apiece.

Earlier, Bulacan snapped a six-game skid with a convincing 100-64 rout of Bacolod.

The Kuyas, who improved to 5-13, put the game away in the fourth quarter by outscoring the Maskarras, 24-6. Bacolod failed to score over the final 7:48 while committing six turnovers.

Jeremy Cruz paced Bulacan with 20 points and five rebounds, while Benedict Benedictos added 19 points, three rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Mico Dizon chipped in 16 points, six rebounds, and two steals, and Andre Acop contributed 11 points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals.

Bacolod absorbed its 11th consecutive loss to fall to 3-19 despite 19-point efforts from Desmond Price and Jeremy Monton. Price also collected eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

The tournament resumes Wednesday at the Ynares Center Montalban with Negros taking on Quezon City at 3 p.m., Pasig facing Abra at 5 p.m., and host Rizal meeting General Santos at 7 p.m.