Quezon Province and San Juan took different victory routes in the 2026 MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Preseason Invitational on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
The new-look Quezon Huskers cruised past the Junior MPBL D-League Selection, 116-80, while the San Juan Knights rode bumpy roads before sprinting past the Marikina Shoemasters, 86-75, in the elimination round of the 18-team event.
Barely ahead, 57-55, after three quarters, the Knights turned hot early in the fourth and broke away at 71-59 to stay.
Mainstays Michael Calisaan and Orlan Wamar, and coveted University of the Philippines recruits Terrence Fortea and Reyland Torres shone for the Knights, who are seeking cohesion and precision to regain the MPBL crown they won in 2019.
Calisaan wound up with 15 points and 5 rebounds, Fortea 13 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds, Wamar 11 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals, and Torres 10 points and 2 rebounds.
Veteran Reynel Hugnatan and acquisition Harold Alarcon, also from UP, contributed 8 and 7 points, respectively, for San Juan, which joined inaugural winners Abra Solid North, Batangas City Tanduay and Caloocan, and Quezon at the top.
Powered by prized rookies Cedrick Manzano, Jolo Manansala and John Abate, the Huskers surged ahead, 87-60, after three quarters and never let-up.
The 6-foot-5 Manzano, a former Adamson standout and member of the Gilas Pilipinas champion team to the Bangkok Southeast Asian Games, posted 16 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals in 13 minutes and 38 seconds of play to earn best player honors.
The 6-foot-4 Manansala, a former National University star, also shone with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists, followed by former University of the East skipper Abate with 13 points, spiked by three triples, 2 rebounds and 2 assists.
Former UP stars shine for Knights in MPBL Preseason
