The Biñan Tatak Gel returned to the win column with a composed and balanced performance, defeating the Quezon City Black Bulls, who absorbed their second straight loss in the MPBL season.
Biñan showed resilience after a home defeat to the Gensan Warriors, improving to 1-1 behind a strong second-half surge that ultimately put the game out of reach.
The San Juan Knights continued their strong start to the season, notching a second straight victory at the expense of the Cebu Greats, who slipped to a 1-1 record.
San Juan leaned on a balanced offensive attack, led by Gerry Abadiano’s game-high 15 points. The Knights saw multiple contributors step up, with Michael Calisaan adding 12 markers and Mike Phillips chipping in nine points along with a dominant presence on the glass. Orlan Wamar and AC Soberano each contributed eight points, highlighting the team’s depth in securing back-to-back wins.
Four teams remain flawless as the 2026 MPBL Pre-Season Invitational gathers momentum, with early contenders beginning to separate from the field.
In Group A, Abra and Batangas City lead the way at 4-0, asserting dominance through balanced play and steady execution.
The Caloocan Batang Kankaloo enters the 2026 MPBL Pre-Season Invitational with a clear objective: finish what it could not last December 2025.
The Batang Kankaloo were swept by the Abra Weavers in the North Division Semifinals in 2025, a loss that exposed depth issues and late-game execution lapses. Management responded aggressively in the offseason.
The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is officially back, and the road to the 2026 season begins with an exciting pre-season opening on February 7, 2026, at the Caloocan Sports Complex. Fans can expect a full day of high-energy matchups as teams showcase new faces, fresh systems, and early championship intentions.
Basketball fans are in for a treat with three games lined up from afternoon to evening:
Cyril Gonzales has never been the loudest name on the stat sheet, but throughout his collegiate career, the 6-foot point guard has built a reputation as a relentless defender and dependable floor general. Born on June 27, 2000, and hailing from Samal, Davao del Norte, the 25-year-old guard has carved out a basketball journey defined by resilience, timely decisions, and a commitment to winning.
Gonzales first made his mark with the Mapúa Cardinals during NCAA Season 95. Even as a young guard, he displayed maturity beyond his years, averaging 9.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. His ability to pressure opposing ballhandlers and contribute on both ends quickly established him as one of Mapúa’s promising backcourt pieces.
The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) officially unveiled the lineup and competition format for the MPBL 2026 Pre-Season Invitational, setting the stage for an exciting buildup to the league’s next season. The tournament will run from February 7 to March 21, with games scheduled every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, promising weeks of nonstop basketball action for fans across the country.
The pre-season tournament features two loaded groups composed of established MPBL contenders, emerging provincial squads, and developmental teams.