Zamboanga Master Sardines and Biñan Tatak Gel hurdled separate opponents and boosted their drives in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season on Friday, July 12, at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.

The Zamboanguenos banked on Jaycee Marcelino's game-long brilliance to trounce the Iloilo United Royals, 81-68, while the Lagunenses led throughout in a 79-68 victory over the Bataan Risers in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.

Marcelino, the 2022 MPBL MVP, posted 30 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists to earn best player honors and power Zamboanga to its 13th win in 16 starts.

Back-in-form Renzo Subido supported Marcelino with 17 points, 2 steals, 2 rebounds plus 2 assists, and so did Ady Santos with 9 points and 5 rebounds.

Defying the United Royals' defense, Marcelino pumped in 10 points in the fourth quarter and pulled Zamboanga away, 65-51.

Iloilo led at halftime, 39-36, behind CJ Catapusan's 10 points and Omar Larupay's 8, but the United Royals couldn't sustain their fire and tumbled to a 7-10 card.

Homegrown Mark Nonoy chalked 18 points, Catapusan 12, while Larupay and Clint Doliguez had 10 points each for the United Royals.

Biñan, powered by Carlo Lastimosa and Jonathan Grey, surged ahead, 21-14, after the first quarter, padded it to 55-34 in the third quarter and climbed to 9-6.

Lastimosa wound up with 23 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals, followed by Nino Canaleta with 18 points plus 9 rebounds, and Grey with 14 points plus 5 rebounds. Jaymar Gimpayan also shone with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Bataan suffered its fifth straight defeat and fell to 4-13 despite the 26-point, 9-rebound effort of Rhaffy Octobre and the 10-point, 4-rebound, 4-assist output of Robbi Darang.

Imus finally notched its first victory after 17 losses at the expense of Bulacan, 94-88, in the opener.

Drawing double-doubles from Jameson Hiro, Nemesis Dela Cruz and Kenneth Estabillo, the Imus Agimat VA Drones took control, 79-77, halfway through the fourth quarter and never wavered to relegate the Bulacan Kuyas to 2-16.

Hiro posted 24 points, 10 assists, plus 5 rebounds, Dela Cruz chalked 24 points, 10 rebounds, plus 6 assists, while Estabillo produced 14 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks. Carlo De Chavez also did his part for Imus with 16 points.

Bulacan got 17 points, 11 rebounds plus 2 steals from Khen Osicos and 11 points plus 11 rebounds from Ralph Manzo, 15 points from Ken Bangeles and 11 points from Jason Celis.

The MPBL returns to the FilOIL Ecooil Centre in San Juan on Saturday, July 13, with games pitting Nueva Ecija against Negros at 4 p.m., Abra against Quezon province at 6 p.m., and San Juan against Quezon City at 8 p.m.