The Rizal Xentromall Golden Coolers defeated the Mindoro Tamaraws 84-78, securing their place in the upper half of the SportsPlus MPBL 2026 Season standings.
This victory took place at the One Arena in Cainta, marking the Golden Coolers' third win against two losses in the tournament.
Jolo Mendoza led the team with a strong start, contributing to a 13-0 opening run that set the tone for the match.
The Golden Coolers showcased impressive shooting, making 13 of 25 attempts from beyond the arc, achieving a remarkable 56.5 percent accuracy.
AJ Coronel was a standout player, finishing with 14 points and 4 rebounds, while Mendoza added 16 points, including three three-pointers.
Other contributors included Joel Lee Yu and Alwyn Alday, who both scored 8 points, helping the team improve to a 3-2 record.
Mindoro's Struggles Continue
The Tamaraws, now at 2-3, received strong performances from JJ Caspe and Bambam Gamalinda, each scoring 17 points.
Jeco Barnale and Marion Magat also made contributions, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Golden Coolers.
Other Matches: Meycauayan and Batangas Victorious
In the second game, the Meycauayan Marilao Gems bounced back from a three-game losing streak, defeating the Negros Hacienderos 97-73.
Agem Miranda and Jayson Apolonio each scored 15 points to help the Gems improve to a 3-3 record.
Negros suffered its fourth consecutive loss, with Wilson Baltazar leading the team with 25 points.
Batangas City Tanduay Athletics also secured a win against Binan Tatak Gel, with a score of 73-60.
Ino Comboy led the Athletics with 14 points, while Ced Ablaza contributed 11 points and 8 rebounds.
Binan fell to 3-3, despite a solid performance from Nic Cabanero, who recorded a double-double.
Looking Ahead
The MPBL tournament will continue at the One Arena on Thursday, featuring exciting matchups including Basilan vs. Pasig and Bacolod vs. Caloocan.