Quezon is MPBL South Division champ anew

Sports

THE Quezon Huskers edged out Biñan Tatak Gel, 69-68, to capture the South Division title of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season on Friday night, Nov. 13, at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.

Cyrus Tabi starred in the title-clinching win, sinking two free throws with 4.6 seconds left as the Huskers won the best-of-five series, 3-1, and clinched their third straight division crown.

The Huskers, thus, advanced to the MPBL Finals, where they will meet the winner of the North Division Finals between defending champion Abra Solid North and San Juan.

Biñan didn’t go down without a fight as Cebuano gunner Nic Cabañero canned two triples in a torrid run that shoved the Tatak Gel within 65-66 with 15.6 seconds left.

Judel Fuentes made it a two-point game with a split free throw before Cabañero committed a crucial error in the next play.

Tabi then sank two free throws to ice the win as Cabañero sank a harmless triple as the final buzzer sounded.

Christian Pagrana led the Huskers with 12 points and four rebounds while Tabi tossed in 11 points, seven assists and five rebounds.

Cabañero was superb albeit in a losing cause as he collected 27 points, 14 rebounds and three assists.(CCM)