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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Cebu turns back Pasay; Ilagan Isabela triumphs

Cebu turns back Pasay; Ilagan Isabela triumphs

Published Jun 17, 2026 02:59 pm

At A Glance

  • The Cebu Greats hit distant targets and beat the Pasay Voyagers, 92-82, on Tuesday, June 16, to sustain their climb in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Pasay Astrodome.
Ichie Altamirano delivers for the Cebu Greats. (MPBL Images)
Ichie Altamirano delivers for the Cebu Greats. (MPBL Images)

The Cebu Greats hit distant targets and beat the Pasay Voyagers, 92-82, on Tuesday, June 16, to sustain their climb in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Pasay Astrodome.

Headed by Cebuano legend Dondon Hontiveros, who drilled in 3 of 4 triple attempts, the Greats connected on 12 of 22 from long distance for a remarkable 54.5 percent, to derail the Voyagers, who converted 8 of 29 for 27.6 percent.

Cebu led as far as 63-40 on a Mark Meneses triple en route to its third straight win and a 10-3 slate in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 28-team tournament.

The 6-foot-4 Meneses, a prized find from the University of Luzon, finished with 19 points, including two triples, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks to capture the SportsPlus best player honors.

Ichie Altamirano contributed 11 points, spiked by two triples, 3 assists and 2 rebounds, followed by Hontiveros with 10 points and 4 rebounds, and Simon Camacho, with 7 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks.

Cebu caught up with Binan at fourth spot in the South division, within sight of Batangas (10-3), Gensan (12-2) and Quezon Province (8-0).

Pasay absorbed back-to-back losses and fell to 7-5 in the North division, with Brian Hilario and homegrown Nico Quinal scoring 14 each, Edmund Dela Cruz posting 9 points and 10 rebounds, and Christian Fajarito held to 8 points and 3 rebounds.

Ilagan Isabela tames Bulacan

The Ilagan Isabela Cowboys banked on the hot hands of Kyle Paranada to thwart the Bulacan Kuyas, 82-78, and raised their record to 8-5 in the opener.

Paranada, the former University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers star, fired 29 points, hitting a perfect 4 of 4 triples, 5 of 9 two-pointers, and 7 of 8 free throws, highlighted by the last two that secured the Cowboys' third straight win.

The 5-foot-9 shooter and slasher from San Diego, California, was chosen the best player over Jayboy Solis, who posted 18 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists.

Other Cowboys who delivered were Allen Mina, with 7 points and 3 assists, Alex Cabagnot, with 6 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds, and homegrown TJ Felebrico, with 5 points and 12 rebounds.

Veteran recruit Robby Celiz contributed 9 rebounds, 3 assists and a free throw that knotted the count at 73-73 midway through the fourth quarter.

Jeremy Cruz pushed Bulacan ahead, 76-75, with a triple, but Paranada countered with a triple that sparked Ilagan's closing 7-2 run in the last 2 minutes and 40 seconds.

Bulacan, which tumbled to 4-8, got 14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals from Cruz; 14 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists from Mart James Barrera, 11 points from Benedict Benedictos, and 10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists from Jonathan Medina.

Manila beats Paranaque

Manila Batang Quiapo bested Paranaque, 106-100, in the second game and improved to 2-11.

Alfred Sedillo led Manila with 27 points and 11 rebounds, followed by Joe Gomez De Liano, with 23 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists, and Redgimir Eusebio, with 18 points and 8 rebounds.

Paranaque, which hogged the cellar at 1-14, drew 29 points and 10 rebounds from Domark Matillano, and 18 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists from Marlon Monte.

The MPBL continues at the One Arena Cainta on Wednesday, featuring games between Bataan and Caloocan at 6 p.m., and Rizal and Quezon City at 8 p.m.

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