MANILA — Nicael Cabañero rewrote the MPBL record books with a spectacular 53-point triple-double, including an unprecedented 31 points in the fourth quarter, as Biñan Tatak Gel demolished Pasig City, 121-79, in the SportsPlus MPBL 2026 Season on Thursday at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.
The 22-year-old former University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers standout shattered two league scoring records while powering Biñan to its 21st victory in 25 games and the provisional top spot in the South Division.
Cabañero eclipsed Jeff Viernes’ previous MPBL single-game scoring record of 50 points for the Sarangani Marlins in 2023 and broke the 22-point single-quarter mark established by San Juan’s Orlan Wamar last year.
The Cebuano guard completed his career-best performance with 22 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals to run away with best player honors.
The 6-foot-2 Cabañero, among the early prospects for the upcoming PBA Rookie Draft, saved his biggest explosion for the final period, pouring in 31 points as Biñan turned an already comfortable advantage into a 42-point rout.
Homegrown Ryan Sual added 16 points, while Carlo Lastimosa chipped in nine for Biñan, which seized a 51-32 halftime advantage and stretched its lead to as many as 48 points, 107-59.
Despite dropping to 11-12, Pasig is assured of a berth in the South Division play-in tournament reserved for teams finishing seventh to 10th after the elimination round.
Michael Lambino paced Pasig with 17 points, Jacob Galicia contributed 16 and Jerome Garcia added 13.
Meanwhile, defending champion Abra Solid North Weavers secured the top playoff spot in the North Division after pulling away in the fourth quarter for an 81-59 rout of Caloocan Batang Kankaloo.
Powered by Fil-Am DJ Fenner and Jake Figueroa, Abra unleashed a 15-1 scoring run to take control and close the round-robin elimination phase with a league-best 23-2 record.
Fenner finished with 26 points, seven rebounds and two assists to earn best player honors, while reigning MVP Dave Ildefonso tallied 18 points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists./PN
