MPBL: Biñan stuns Cebu in duel of streaking teams

Sports

THE Cebu Greats wanted to give the hometown fans a huge treat, but a Cebuano gunner had other things in mind.

Kenny Rocacurva delivered a solid all-around game to lead Biñan to a pulsating 78-77 win over Cebu in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season on Thursday night, July 16, at the packed Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.

The Camotes Island Rocacurva finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, five steals, and two assists as Biñan battled back from an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit to keep its searing streak going.

The Tatak Gel stretched their winning run to 12 while ending Cebu’s streak of seven straight victories.

Biñan improved to 14-3 (win-loss) while Cebu fell to 14-4 as it failed to get a win that could have given them a solo top spot in the South Division.

Nic Cabañero backed Rocacurva with 14 points while Jaymar Gimpayan and Carlo Lastimosa chipped in 12 points apiece.

Jun Manzo paced Cebu with a game-high 23 points built on five triples. Mark Meneses tallied 13 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists, while JR Quiñahan and Kint Ariar contributed nine points each.

It was Cebu’s first game of a two-game home stand. It will host Caloocan on Saturday, July 18, at the Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City.

BOX SCORES:

BIÑAN (78)- Rocacurva 19, Cabañero 14, Lastimosa 12, Gimpayan 12, Pido 8, Raymundo 5, Mabulac 5, Pingris 2, Bonifacio 1, Mallari 0, Barba 0, Soriano 0, Subido 0, Actub 0, Sual 0.

CEBU (77)- Manzo 23, Meneses 13, Quiñahan 9, Ariar 9, Camacho 8, Dennison 4, Tamsi 3, Echavez 3, Armenion 2, Escosio 2, Tampus 1, Reverente 0, D. Hontiveros 0, I. Hontiveros 0, Payawal 0.(CCM)