THE Meycauyan Marilao Gems sparkled in its MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season debut on Tuesday, trouncing Zamboanga SiKat, 94-76, for a share of the early lead at One Arena Cainta in Rizal Province.
Powered by Agem Miranda, the MPBL's newest franchise pulled away, 80-69, midway through the fourth quarter and never looked back to join San Juan, Caloocan, Cebu, Gensan, Bulacan, Mindoro and Batangas at the top of the two-division, 28-team tournament.
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Miranda, former star of the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, posted 16 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists and was chosen Best Player of the Game over Jimboy Pasturan, who had 16 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
Other Gems who shone for coach Jonathan Banal were Migs Corteza with 13 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals, Jayson Apolonio with 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals, Robin Nayve with 11 points, and Felix Apreku, with 2 points and a game-high 12 boards.
"We resorted to gang rebounding and playing our designated roles," said Miranda, referring to the Gems' effort to neutralize their taller rivals, 47-47, off the boards.
The Gems closed the first half with a 6-point run, capped by a Miranda follow-up to take control, 48-39.
Zamboanga came close at 61-69 after the third quarter, but Apolonio and MJ Dela Virgen struck in the fourth to push Meycauayan farther ahead, 90-73, with only 2 minutes and 10 seconds left.
John Arthur Calisay contributed 19 points and 2 assists, and Paeng Are, 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists for Zamboanga.
The tournament goes to the Ynares Center Montalban on Tuesday, featuring another triple-bill: Iloilo against Bataan at 4 p.m., Imus against Bacolod at 6 p.m., and Caloocan against host Rizal Province at 8 p.m.
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