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| Nic Cabañero led the way again for surging Biñan. Joseph Sanvictores |
PASIG—Biñan Tatak Gel detonated a fourth-quarter bomb to subdue Quezon Province 83-74 on Tuesday and took the opener of their SportsPlus MPBL 2026 Season South Division Finals at the Ynares Sports Arena.
Trailing 60-65, Biñan, powered by Kenny Rocacurva, dropped 20 points against the Huskers' two to seize control 80-67 with 2 minutes and 10 seconds left.
Biñan will shoot for a 2-0 lead in Game 2 slated at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
Pamboy Raymundo and Michael Mabulac also shone in that span, swaying the balance for Binan, which is seeking to avenge its 2-3 loss to Quezon in last year's South Finals.
Raymundo posted 14 points, 6 assists and 2 rebounds and was chosen the SportsPlus best player over Nic Cabanero, with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists; and Rocacurva, with 14 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals.
Binan Coach Boyet Fernandez credited his wards for their team effort, saying they'll enjoy the night and prepare again for Game 2, where he expects the Quezon coaching staff to make adjustments.
The Huskers drew 14 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists from Cholo Anonuevo, 11 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists from Christioan Pagarana; 10 points and 6 rebounds from Michael Canete; and 10 points, 4 rebounds ad 5 assists from Judel Fuentes.
Poor free-throw shooting plagued the Huskers, who made just 6 of 22 attempts for 37.5 percent. Binan canned 11 of 22 for 50 percent.
Binan also did better from afar, sinking 10 of 29 for 34.5 percent against Quezon's 8 of 27 for 29.6 percent.
Behind by 15 points with 3 minutes and 51 seconds left, the Huskers, sparked by Anonuevo, dropped a 15-1 salvo to threaten at the half 34-35.
Back-to-back triples by Cabanero gave Biñan a 34-19 spread with 3 minutes and 51 seconds left in the second quarter,
Renzo Subido nailed a jumper and a triple to push Biñan ahead 18-12, after the first quarter.
