Gensan and Quezon City sustained their climb while Mindoro rebounded in the 2026 MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Preseason Invitational on Wednesday at the Marikina Sports Center.
The Gensan Warriors unleashed a prime recruit and battered the Bacolod Masskara, 112-74, in the nightcap to keep in step with the Quezon City Black Bulls, who survived the Bataan Risers, 80-79, in the opener.
The Mindoro Tamaraws trounced the Sarangani 10ACT Marlins, 112-92, in the second game of the nine-team Group A elimination round triple-bill.
Quezon City and Gensan extended their winning run to three, although the Black Bulls hold a better 4-2 record than the Warriors’ 3-2 in the two-group, 18-team event preceding the MPBL Eighth Season.
The Warriors, however, have gotten stronger with the acquisition of Fil-Canadian Anton Eusebio from the College of St. Benilde Blazers and the return of gunner Kyle Tolentino.
The 6-foot-5 Eusebio pooled 19 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals in 23 minutes and 42 seconds of play and earned best player honors on his first game as a pro, edging Mark Cruz with 20 points, highlighted by six triples, and Louie Vigil, with 15 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds and 2 steals.
Tolentino contributed 13 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists for the Warriors, who pulled away 86-45 to hand the Bacolodnons their fourth defeat against one win.
Powered by Marion Magat, the Tamaraws led from the start and stormed ahead at 87-56, late in the third quarter, before coasting to a 3-3 slate.
The 6-foot-7 Magat had 17 points and 10 rebounds and was chosen the best player over Jayvee Dela Cruz, with 11 points and 5 rebounds, Joseph Sedurifa, with 10 points. 4 rebounds and 2 assists, and Fil-Am Ashon Andrews, with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
The Black Bulls rallied from a 63-75 deficit and banked on a short jumper by Jake Agoncillo with 7.1 seconds left to nip the Risers and climb to 4-3.
MJ Joson shone for Quezon City with 16 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals, and so did Pat Buena with 16 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds. Agoncillo finished with 9 points and 7 rebounds.
