BIÑAN, Laguna — November 12, 2026 — The Quezon Huskers are closing in on another Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) South Division championship after overpowering Biñan Tatak Gel, 81-67, to seize a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five finals series.
But the defending champions are not celebrating just yet.
With Biñan facing a must-win situation in Game 4 on Friday, November 13, the Huskers have an opportunity to finish the series and retain their South Division crown. The Lagunenses, meanwhile, must find a way to stop Quezon’s growing momentum or risk seeing their championship hopes disappear.
Game 4 is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.
Quezon’s latest victory on Wednesday demonstrated why the Huskers remain one of the toughest teams to eliminate in the MPBL playoffs. Even after Biñan fought back to erase an early deficit and tie the contest, the defending champions regained control and pulled away in the second half.
Quezon Takes Control Early, But Biñan Refuses to Back Down
The Huskers immediately established their offensive rhythm, combining strong perimeter shooting and aggressive inside play to build a 37-22 advantage early in the second quarter.
Judel Fuentes, Jolo Manansala, Joshua Yerro and Cyrus Tabi spearheaded the early attack as Quezon looked poised to take control of the contest.
Biñan, however, refused to surrender.
Led by Nic Cabañero and Kenny Rocacurva, Tatak Gel gradually worked its way back into the game, eventually tying the score at 54-54.
The comeback briefly threatened Quezon’s advantage, but the Huskers responded with another decisive run.
They restored a 69-59 cushion and maintained control until the final buzzer, completing an important 14-point victory.
The result gave Quezon its second consecutive win after losing the opening game of the South Division Finals.
Cyrus Tabi Controls the Game With 18 Assists
Although Judel Fuentes finished as Quezon’s leading scorer with 15 points, it was Cyrus Tabi who earned Best Player honors.
Tabi delivered an impressive all-around performance, recording six points, seven rebounds, two steals and 18 assists.
His playmaking proved crucial in keeping the Huskers organized, particularly when Biñan threatened to take control of the game.
Manansala also delivered a strong performance with 13 points and 10 rebounds, securing a double-double. Yerro contributed another 13 points and four rebounds.
The balanced production highlighted Quezon’s biggest advantage: its ability to generate offense through several players rather than depending on a single scorer.
Fuentes’ scoring, Manansala’s rebounding, Yerro’s contributions and Tabi’s exceptional playmaking combined to keep the defending champions ahead.
Biñan’s Shooting Problems Could Become Its Biggest Weakness
Despite producing a competitive comeback, Biñan struggled with its shooting efficiency, particularly from the free-throw line.
The Lagunenses converted only 16 of their 37 free-throw attempts, equivalent to 43.2 percent.
Quezon, by comparison, made 15 of 18 attempts for an impressive 83.3 percent conversion rate.
The difference was also noticeable from beyond the three-point line.
Biñan connected on just five of its 27 attempts from deep, while Quezon converted eight of 22.
The Huskers also held a significant advantage in points in the shaded lane, 53-39.
These numbers reveal the areas Biñan must address before Game 4. Better free-throw shooting, improved perimeter accuracy and stronger interior defense will be essential if Tatak Gel hopes to extend the series.
Nic Cabañero led Biñan with 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals, but his production was not enough to overcome Quezon’s balanced attack.
Michael Mabulac added 10 points and six rebounds before sustaining an injury in the fourth quarter, another development that could affect Biñan’s preparations for the next game.
How Quezon Went From Losing Game 1 to Taking the Series Lead
The South Division Finals initially appeared to be moving in Biñan’s favor.
Tatak Gel opened the series with an 83-74 victory at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig, using a powerful fourth-quarter offensive run to defeat the defending champions.
However, Quezon responded emphatically in Game 2.
Playing at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City, the Huskers overwhelmed Biñan, 74-54, to even the series at 1-1.
Alvin Abundo led the response with 14 points, including eight in the fourth quarter, while Cholo Anonuevo, Joshua Yerro and Jolo Manansala contributed 10 points each.
The 20-point victory demonstrated Quezon’s ability to adjust after its opening defeat.
The Huskers carried that momentum into Game 3, producing another convincing win to move within one victory of the division championship.
The turnaround also reflects a familiar playoff pattern: teams that can adjust quickly after losing an opening game often become more dangerous as a series progresses.
Can Quezon Complete Another South Division Championship?
The stakes are particularly significant because Quezon is attempting to retain a championship it has already defended successfully.
The Huskers defeated Biñan in last year’s South Division Finals, winning the best-of-five series, 3-2.
Now, they are once again facing the same opponent with another opportunity to secure the division crown.
Their experience in high-pressure playoff situations could become a major advantage as they approach Game 4.
For Biñan, the challenge is considerably more urgent.
Tatak Gel must improve its shooting, protect the basketball and prevent Quezon from establishing another early advantage.
Cabañero will likely remain central to the team’s offensive plans, but the supporting cast must provide more consistent scoring if Biñan wants to force a deciding Game 5.
Game 4 Schedule: Quezon Huskers vs. Biñan Tatak Gel
Competition: SportsPlus MPBL 2026 Season – South Division Finals
Matchup: Quezon Huskers vs. Biñan Tatak Gel
Date: Friday, November 13, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m. Philippine time
Venue: Alonte Sports Arena, Biñan, Laguna
Series score: Quezon leads 2-1
Format: Best-of-five
The situation is straightforward: another Quezon victory will secure the South Division championship, while a Biñan win will force the series into a deciding fifth game.
For more Philippine basketball coverage, read WWC One Media’s report on Converge moving within one win of a historic PBA semifinal appearance.
The upcoming matchup also highlights the importance of individual performances in championship basketball. Read about June Mar Fajardo’s historic 10,000-point PBA milestone and the achievements that continue shaping Philippine basketball.
Meanwhile, the intensity of the PBA playoffs offers another perspective on how teams handle elimination pressure. Check out Yeng Guiao’s warning about Converge ahead of the PBA playoffs.
One Win From Glory, One Game From Survival
Quezon has already demonstrated that it can recover from a difficult opening defeat. Its back-to-back victories have put the Huskers in a commanding position, but the championship is not officially theirs yet.
For Biñan, Friday’s matchup represents an opportunity to keep its title hopes alive and prevent Quezon from celebrating another South Division crown.
The Huskers have the momentum, the experience and the advantage in the series.
But can they finish the job on Biñan’s home floor, or will Tatak Gel deliver one more comeback to force a winner-take-all Game 5?
