MANILA — Negros Hacienderos wiped out a game-long deficit and held Imus Yangkee scoreless in the final 1:52 to pull off a dramatic 85-84 escape in the SportsPlus MPBL 2026 Season at the Paco Arena in Manila.
After trailing for 36 minutes and 10 seconds, the Hacienderos mounted their decisive charge in the closing minutes, with DJ Howe drilling a crucial three-pointer before Reymar Caduyac sank two free throws with 21.5 seconds remaining to help complete the comeback.
Negros then shut the door on Imus down the stretch, denying the Yangkee a point over the final 1:52 to secure only its second victory of the season and snap a lengthy losing skid.
Caduyac spearheaded the Hacienderos with 22 points, six assists and four rebounds as Negros improved to 2-21.
Michael Alvarez delivered a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Rev Diputado contributed 15 points for Negros.
Imus fell to 3-19, matching Sarangani 10ACT’s record in the South Division.
Harold Lomlong paced the Yangkee with 11 points, five rebounds and four assists. Patrick Beltran finished with 10 points and eight rebounds, while Ian Pardo added 10 points and eight assists.
For a Negros side that spent nearly the entire contest playing from behind, its late defensive stand proved enough to turn an apparent defeat into a one-point victory./PN
