Rizal XentroMall stormed ahead in the third quarter before cruising to a 71-59 victory over Quezon City TODA Aksyon on Tuesday, May 14, in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Powered by Alwyn Alday, the Golden Coolers led by as far as 51-31 en route to their fifth win against two losses in the elimination round of the country's top regional league.

Alday tallied 17 points, 10 rebounds and three assists in a 35-minute, 6-second stint to emerge the game's best player. He was backed by Kraniel Victoria with 14 points, nine rebounds, six assists and five steals and homegrown John Apacible with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Quezon City dropped to 3-4 as only homegrown Rafael Are broke twin digits with 11 points. Jason Ballesteros came through with nine points plus 11 rebounds, while Jerie Pingoy pooled eight points, five rebounds and two steals.

With Alday drilling in 3 of 8 triple attempts, Rizal made a total of 8 out of 28, besting Quezon City which could only convert 5 of 22 tries.

South Cotabato weathered Negros' repeated assaults to prevail, 81-74, in the second game and climb to a 5-2 card.

Kyle Tolentino posted 23 points, including seven triples, eight rebounds and two assists to spearhead the Warriors, who also got a lift from Christian Fajarito with 16 points and seven rebounds, and John Wilson with 14 points and five rebounds.

The Negros Muscovados suffered their fifth straight defeat after winning their first three despite getting 20 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists from Renz Palma, 20 points, five rebounds and five assists from Enrique Caunan and 13 points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals from Hubert Cani.

The MPBL visits the Batangas City Coliseum on Wednesday, May 15, with games pitting Mindoro against Abra at 4 p.m., San Juan against Bicol at 6 p.m., and Davao against Batangas at 8 p.m.