Iloilo United Royals survived a late push from Manila Batang Quiapo, 101-96, earning their first win after three straight losses in the MPBL season.
Baliwag, Bulacan — Iloilo United Royals looked in full control early, then had to fight through a late Manila rally before escaping with a 101-96 win on Wednesday in the SportsPlus MPBL 2026 Season.
Misryoum has covered the league closely, and Wednesday’s game carried the kind of momentum swing that can define a team’s week.. Iloilo started fast, racing to a commanding 72-50 lead.. For a stretch, the United Royals looked like they would cruise, with their defense holding firm and their offense staying sharp.
But the fourth quarter belonged to Manila Batang Quiapo.. The rally was not sudden so much as relentless, and it chipped away at Iloilo’s cushion until Manila grabbed a brief edge at 93-92 with just 2 minutes and 14 seconds remaining.. Runs like that usually come from a mix of better shot selection, tightened execution, and the confidence that the comeback is actually happening.
Still, Iloilo found a way to close the final phase. Kyt Jimenez and Levi Hernandez combined for nine points in the homestretch, answering Manila’s charge instead of hesitating. It helped Iloilo preserve a win that matters not only in the standings, but also for a team’s belief after a rough start.
Hernandez finished with 36 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists, a stat line that also earned him the SportsPlus best player honors.. Jimenez had a strong game of his own with 17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, showing that Iloilo’s late-game survival wasn’t just about scoring—it was also about creating stops and forcing Manila into difficult possessions.
Paul Sanga added 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists for the United Royals, but the night carried an extra layer of concern after he sustained a hand injury late in the fourth quarter.. Injuries in closing minutes often leave teams thinking about recovery as much as the final buzzer, and it could shape Iloilo’s rotation in the days ahead.
Manila, for its part, came ready to make the game uncomfortable.. Batang Quiapo’s push was built on production from key contributors, including Mark Doligon, who posted 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.. John Ashley Faa also carried a heavy load with 26 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds, while Alfred Sedillo added 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.
There was also a clear turning point within the comeback itself: Manila briefly threatened at 78-79 as Doligon delivered 13 points that kept the score within reach. From there, the see-saw sequence became the story, with both teams trading momentum until the final minutes separated the sides.
For Iloilo, this first win after three losses in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 28-team tournament is more than a single result.. Early leads that hold—or don’t—can influence how coaches adjust in the next game, how players manage their energy, and how the team responds under pressure.. Wednesday’s game showed they can protect a big advantage, but also that they can adapt when it starts slipping.
Looking forward, the league continues with Misryoum noting that the tournament moves to Batangas City Coliseum on Thursday.. The schedule features Valenzuela vs Negros at 4 p.m., Marikina against Caloocan at 6 p.m., and Binan vs Batangas at 8 p.m.. For fans tracking the race, every turnaround like Iloilo’s matters—because in a tournament built on rhythm, one late-game performance can carry real momentum into what comes next.