Cebu Greats cruise past Bacolod, improve to 14-3

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — The Cebu Greats maintained their winning momentum heading into their back-to-back home games after demolishing the Bacolod Masskaras, 97-67, on Thursday to stretch their winning streak to seven games in the SportsPlus Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season at the Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor, Cavite.

The Greats anchored in their hot scoring in the second period that stretched their lead to double figures and never looked back against the hapless Bacolod five.

Before pulling away foor good, they were trailing by three, 20-23, in the first period, but Cebu turned the tide after Tampus and Manzo went on with their hot shooting. Manzo who haven’t played several games for Cebu fired nine points, while Tampus who is a returning player from last year’s campaign chipped in eight markers to lead a 26-10 run that ended the first half with a double-figure 46-33 lead in halftime.

READ: MPBL: Elmer Echavez powers Cebu Greats in win vs Negros

Cebu Greats didn’t relent in the second half after their primary scorer, Mark Meneses with the help of Brylle Meca stretched their lead to as many as 35 points, 95-60, with Tampus capping it off with a triple with 5:11 remaining in the game.

Improved win-loss record

The victory improved Cebu to 14-3, good for its seventh consecutive win. The Greats remained in the thick of the South Division playoff race, trailing only Gensan (14-2), Batangas (13-2), and Quezon Province (10-2), while staying ahead of Binan Tatak Gel (13-3).

Meneses finished with 18 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while Tampus earned ‘Best Player of the Game’ honors after tallying a double-double of 12 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists.

Manzo made an impressive return to the Greats’ lineup with 13 points and two rebounds, while Ron Dennison added 10 points.

Bacolod, which dropped to 3-16, was led by Fil-Am Desmond Price with 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Rafael Go chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Marjun Wahing scored 12 points and Ram Mesqueriola contributed 10 points, six rebounds, and two blocks.

READ: Meneses leads Cebu Greats past Quezon City in MPBL

The Cebu Greats will head to Cebu for a back-to-back home games. On July 16 they will play at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City against Binan Tatak Gel Masters which will field two Cebuano players in Kenny Rogers Rocacurva and Nic Cabanero. On July 18, they will play at the Cebu Coliseum against Caloocan.

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