Basketball
Kevin Quiambao looks forward to playing with Mike Phillips in Gilas
Kevin Quiambao had only just returned to the country for a day when he, along with the rest of the nation, received some exciting news last Saturday: his former De La Salle University teammate, Mike Phillips, was granted local status by FIBA.
Having shared the court with Phillips from UAAP Seasons 85 to 87, Quiambao knows exactly what the 6-foot-8 bruiser—affectionately known as “Motor Mike”—brings to any team.
“I think it was a very, very big and great help sa program ng Gilas, especially nakasama ko siya sa La Salle. I know kung gaano niya matutulungan yung team at alam ko kung paano niya ibibigay yung best niya every time,” Quiambao told Tiebreaker Times.
“He’s always 100-percent, hindi nga 100-percent, 1,000-percent lagi yan pag naglalaro sa basketball court. Yung energy at yung hustle niya, I’m so excited.”
During their time together at La Salle, the Green Archers made two finals appearances, capturing the UAAP Season 86 crown, with Quiambao earning both the regular season and Finals MVP honors.
That period also saw both players called up to separate Gilas squads—Quiambao as part of the regular pool and Phillips in the team that won gold at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.
Though they never got the chance to play together for the national team, their minds were always on the possibility.
“Nung nasa La Salle ako, hindi kami nabigyan ng chance na magkampi sa Gilas. Siya, naging eligible sa SEA Games at ako sa FIBA. That time, hindi kami nagkakausap about Gilas kasi focus kami nun to get the championship sa La Salle,” Quiambao recalled.
“Yung dream ko rin sa sarili ko na makakampi siya sa Gilas, siguro matutupad naman sa next window sa July. Sana, sana.”
For now, however, Quiambao’s focus is firmly on the task at hand: Window 2 of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers.
The Philippines faces New Zealand on Thursday and Australia on Sunday, both on home soil.
Over the past year, the 6-foot-7 all-around forward has emerged as a key piece in Tim Cone’s Gilas squad. During the Asia Cup proper, he averaged 12.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. In the last window, he posted 9.5 points, 4.0 assists, and 2.5 rebounds across two games against Guam.
Quiambao is well aware of the expectations on him for the games against the two powerhouses from Oceania.
“Gusto ko lagi na may parang pressure sa sarili ko kasi doon mo maabot yung pinaka-top level ng game mo,” said the 24-year-old Asian import of Goyang Sono.
“Pero challenge siguro is how to keep up kung ano yung ginagawa ko sa Gilas. And as a young guy, magiging sponge lang ako kung ano yung male-learn ko sa veterans namin.”
With reports by Icko de Guzman
The post Kevin Quiambao looks forward to playing with Mike Phillips in Gilas appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.
Basketball
Abra overpowers Meycauayan Marilao to tighten MPBL North race
Abra Solid North handed Meycauayan Marilao a harsh reality check on Friday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the One Arena Cainta in Rizal Province.
The defending champions cruised to a dominant 101-75 victory in the nightcap to improve to 10-1, moving closer to the leaders in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 28-team tournament.
Abra remains behind North Division leader Caloocan (11-1) and just ahead of San Juan (9-1) in the race for playoff positioning. In the South Division, Quezon Province leads with an unbeaten 8-0 record, followed by General Santos City at 12-1.
Jake Figueroa paced the Weavers with 12 points, eight rebounds, and two assists, earning Best Player of the Game honors. He received ample support from Shaun Ildefonso, who finished with 15 points and eight rebounds, and Encho Serrano, who added 13 points and three assists. Fil-Am DJ Fenner chipped in nine points and four rebounds.
Mike Ayonayon capped Abra’s dominance with an alley-oop finish off a Nico Elorde pass that stretched the lead to its largest at 88-53 with 5:46 remaining.
The loss snapped Meycauayan Marilao’s five-game winning streak as the Gems dropped to 7-4. Jayson Apolonio led the team with 22 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Agem Miranda scored 14 points.
Jimboy Pasturan contributed 12 points, three rebounds, and four assists, and Shawn Argente added 11 points.
Abra controlled the rebounding battle, 53-32, with 6-foot-8 Drex Delos Reyes grabbing seven boards to help Figueroa and Ildefonso.
In the earlier game, Parañaque leaned on a stellar performance from Marlon Monte to upset Imus, 102-96, and snap a 13-game losing streak.
Monte erupted for a career-high 34 points, including 18 in the pivotal third quarter, while also collecting six rebounds, five assists, and two steals to earn Best Player of the Game honors. Domark Matillano also played a key role with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals.
Samuel Peralta contributed 14 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while Jomar Santos added 12 points, two rebounds, and two assists. Jobert Medina chipped in nine points, six rebounds, and three assists, while Ryusei Koha orchestrated the offense with 11 assists to go along with five points and two steals.
Imus fell to 2-10 despite strong performances from Eroll Soriano, who tallied 24 points and eight rebounds, and Jordan Rios, who posted 21 points, 15 rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Regie Boy Basibas added 17 points, six rebounds, and three assists, while Joseph Mark Marquez recorded 14 points, 15 rebounds, and three assists. Janjan Salazar finished with 13 points, 12 assists, three rebounds, and three steals.
Meanwhile, Marikina was awarded a 20-0 forfeiture victory over Iloilo in the second game, improving to 5-8.
Iloilo dropped to 2-8. Under FIBA rules, the official score for a forfeited game is 20-0.
The MPBL returns to the One Arena Cainta on Saturday with a triple-header featuring Biñan against Zamboanga at 4 p.m., Caloocan versus Mindoro at 6 p.m., and Batangas taking on Negros at 8 p.m.
–//
The post Abra overpowers Meycauayan Marilao to tighten MPBL North race appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.
Basketball
UCU Lady Canons stun JKL Lady Dolphins with dominant victory

UCU Lady Canons delivered a masterclass performance on Friday, securing a commanding 71-48 victory over the JKL Lady Dolphins in a highly anticipated National Basketball League (NBL) encounter at the Lugogo Indoor Arena.
With the emphatic win, the Lady Canons completed a regular-season double against the defending champions, who are currently chasing their fourth consecutive NBL title.
Despite the setback, the Lady Dolphins enter their final regular-season game still holding onto an impressive overall record, having come into Friday’s matchup on the back of a strong winning streak.
The Lady Canons set the tone early in the match, suffocating their opponents defensively while executing flawlessly on offence.
Sylivia Nakituuka capped off a dominant opening quarter with a brilliant three-point jump shot, giving the Lady Canons a commanding 17-point lead at 24-07.
Things only worsened for the defending champions in the second period. The Lady Canons’ relentless defence restricted the Lady Dolphins to just seven points in the quarter, allowing UCU to head into the long halftime break with a massive 29-point cushion.
The Lady Dolphins managed to find some footing after halftime, matching the Lady Canons 17-17 in a competitive third quarter. However, the damage had already been done, and UCU maintained their comfortable 29-point advantage heading into the final frame.
In the fourth quarter, the Lady Dolphins mounted a spirited late rally to outscore UCU, but the deficit proved far too large to overcome, with the game concluding in a 23-point margin of victory for the Canons.
Sylivia Nakituuka led the charge for the Lady Canons with a game-high 19 points, supported by Sylivia Nantongo, who chipped in 12 points.
The Lady Dolphins’ offence was spearheaded by Tamasha Nsubuga with 16 points and Charity Nantalo with 11 points, alongside contributions from Shadia Nassanga.
The post UCU Lady Canons stun JKL Lady Dolphins with dominant victory appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
Basketball
JKL Lady Dolphins hold off Nabisunsa Girls in vital victory

JKL Lady Dolphins secure a well-deserved 68-57 victory against Nabisunsa Girls in the National Basketball League encounter at YMCA Court on Wednesday.
The Lady Dolphins came into the game seeking a must-win as they take on relegated Nabisunsa Girls.
Ekone Brenda’s 3-point jumpshot concluded the opening period as the Lady Dolphins opened a two-point lead (14-12).
In the second quarter, Nabisunsa were limited to only eight points as the Lady Dolphins took a 13-point lead (33-20) into the long break.
Coming from the long break, the third quarter was tied 16-16, and the Lady Dolphins held onto a 13-point lead going into the final frame.
Nabisunsa Girls tried to return to the game late but their fight was late as they trailed to 11 points on the end of the day.
Tamasha Nsubuga (24 points), Shadia Nasanga (13 points) and Ekone Brenda’s (11 points) led the Dolphins’ scoring chart in double digits.
On the other hand, Keturah Joy Auma (22 points) and Martha Yikuru (12 points and 12 rebounds) reached the double digits for Nabisunsa..
The post JKL Lady Dolphins hold off Nabisunsa Girls in vital victory appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
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