MANILA, Philippines — The Zamboanga SiKat kept its postseason aspirations alive after surviving a late scare from the Quezon City Black Bulls, escaping with a nail-biting 85-84 victory in the nightcap of the MPBL 2026 Season on Thursday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Needing every win to remain in the playoff race, Zamboanga improved to 7-11 after holding off a furious Quezon City rally in the closing seconds. Veteran forward Brandon Wilson anchored the victory with a dominant double-double of 21 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists, leading a balanced offensive effort that proved just enough to secure the one-point triumph.
The victory was a crucial one for the SiKat, who continue to battle for a coveted postseason berth as the elimination round heads into its final stretch.
Wilson Leads Zamboanga’s Charge
Wilson once again demonstrated why he remains one of Zamboanga’s most reliable players. The versatile forward controlled the paint on both ends, scoring efficiently while cleaning the boards and creating opportunities for his teammates.
Beyond his 21 points and 12 rebounds, Wilson also dished out four assists, showcasing his ability to facilitate the offense whenever Quezon City’s defense collapsed on him.
His leadership became even more valuable in crunch time as the game tightened during the fourth quarter.
Hernandez Sparks the Decisive Run
While Wilson provided steady production throughout the contest, it was Levi Hernandez who ignited the game-changing run late in regulation.
With just 2:32 remaining, Hernandez converted a crucial three-point play before burying a three-pointer moments later. His back-to-back scoring plays came in between consecutive drives by Paeng Are, allowing Zamboanga to build what appeared to be a comfortable 82-75 advantage.
The offensive burst gave SiKat breathing room against a determined Quezon City squad that refused to quit.
Hernandez finished with 15 points and six rebounds, delivering several of the game’s biggest baskets when his team needed them the most.
Balanced Scoring Fuels SiKat
Zamboanga received key contributions from multiple players, highlighting the team’s depth in an important victory.
Aside from Wilson and Hernandez, Joseph Gabayni contributed 12 points, three rebounds, and two assists, while Jayson Puray chipped in 10 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
The balanced attack prevented Quezon City from focusing its defense on a single player and allowed Zamboanga to maintain offensive rhythm throughout much of the contest.
Their collective effort proved vital in overcoming the Black Bulls’ relentless comeback attempt.
Quezon City Mounts a Late Rally
Despite trailing by seven points in the final minutes, the Quezon City Black Bulls fought until the very end.
After Zamboanga extended its lead, Quezon City continued attacking offensively and gradually trimmed the deficit. The Black Bulls created pressure with aggressive drives and timely perimeter shooting, forcing SiKat to execute under intense late-game pressure.
With the game hanging in the balance, Forthsky Padrigao calmly split a pair of free throws to push Zamboanga ahead 85-81.
However, Quezon City wasn’t finished.
With only 1.8 seconds remaining, Pat Buena drilled a clutch three-pointer that cut the deficit to 85-84, creating one final moment of suspense.
Fortunately for Zamboanga, the clock expired before the Black Bulls could complete the comeback, allowing SiKat to celebrate one of its most hard-fought wins of the season.
Black Bulls Receive Strong Individual Performances
Although Quezon City came up just short, several players delivered impressive performances.
Pat Buena led the Black Bulls with 17 points, including the dramatic late three-pointer that nearly forced overtime.
Kobe Monje added 15 points, providing consistent scoring throughout the game, while Jake Agoncillo contributed 11 points.
Ryan Costelo also reached double figures with 10 points, helping Quezon City remain within striking distance during the second half.
The loss dropped the Black Bulls to an 8-10 record, placing additional pressure on the team as the playoff race becomes increasingly competitive.
A Crucial Win for Zamboanga’s Playoff Push
The victory gives Zamboanga renewed momentum as it continues its pursuit of a postseason berth.
At 7-11, every remaining game becomes increasingly significant, making Thursday night’s victory one of the team’s biggest wins this season.
More importantly, SiKat once again showed resilience under pressure, surviving a tense finish behind veteran leadership, timely shot-making, and strong team execution.
If Wilson continues to perform at a high level while players like Hernandez, Gabayni, and Puray consistently provide offensive support, Zamboanga remains capable of making a late-season surge.
MPBL Action Shifts to Batangas
Following another thrilling triple-header in Manila, the MPBL 2026 Season now heads to the Batangas City Coliseum for Friday’s schedule.
Fans can look forward to another exciting day of basketball featuring Biñan vs. Ilagan Isabela at 3:00 p.m., Caloocan vs. Basilan at 5:00 p.m., and Batangas vs. Rizal at 7:00 p.m.
With the playoff race tightening across both divisions, every game carries greater significance as teams continue battling for valuable wins in the closing stages of the elimination round.
For Zamboanga SiKat, Thursday’s dramatic 85-84 victory over the Quezon City Black Bulls could prove to be one of the defining moments of its campaign. Powered by Brandon Wilson’s outstanding double-double and Levi Hernandez’s clutch late-game heroics, the SiKat kept their playoff hopes alive and reminded the rest of the league that they remain a dangerous team capable of delivering under pressure.
