Tamsi soars, powers Cebu to 3rd straight win in MPBL

Sports

AL FRANCIS Tamsi finally able to spread his wings, logging what was by far his best offensive game in the season to power the Cebu Greats to a tight 80-79 win over the Quezon Huskers in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Season 2026 on Monday night, Aug. 3, at the Mandaluyong City College of Science and Technology Gym.

Tamsi sank seven of his nine three-point attempts to finish with a game-high 25 points.

With Tamsi catching fire, the Greats were able to stretch their winning streak to three and hike their record to 17-5 (win-loss). Cebu’s string of wins came after they dropped back-to-back games at home.

While keeping their winning streak going, the Greats ended the Huskers’ six-game winning run.

Overall, Quezon fell to 14-3.

Cebu actually trailed by as many as 11 points early and was still down by nine points, 68-77, entering the final four minutes of the match.

Tamsi sparked Cebu’s rally with a triple before Mark Meneses, Simon Camacho, and Limuel Tampus joined the fray.

Tamsi was part of a crucial play late in the game when he assisted Camacho for a layup that shoved Cebu ahead, 80-79, with 46 seconds left.

That proved to be the game’s final basket as Cebu’s defense held up, forcing Quezon to commit a critical turnover.

Meneses added 11 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, Wowie Escosio tallied 10 points, while Limuel Tampus and Camillus Altamirano chipped in eight markers each. Camacho finished with seven points, eight rebounds, and four steals.

Cedric Manzano led Quezon with 17 points and eight rebounds. Joshua Yerro contributed 12 points.

THE SCORES:

CEBU (80)- Tamsi 25, Meneses 11, Escosio 10, Altamirano 8, Tampus 8, Camacho 7, D. Hontiveros 6, Armenion 4, Dennison 1, Baetiong 0, Meca 0, Reverente 0, Echavez 0, I. Hontiveros 0, Ariar 0.

QUEZON (79)- Manzano 17, Yerro 12, Lalata 9, Pagaran 7, Tabi 7, Manansala 7, Dario 6, Abate 6, Fuentes 3, Cañete 3, McAloney 2, Abundo 0, Vera 0, Lagrama 0.(CCM)