By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Bacolod Masskara finally entered the win column after turning back Sarangani 10ACT, 82-74, in the 2026 MPBL Preseason Invitational at the Marikina Sports Center on Monday night, March 2.

Adven Diputado spearheaded Bacolod’s balanced attack with 20 points, four assists, three steals, and two rebounds as the team snapped a three-game skid for a 1-3 record.

Johnnel Bauzon added 19 points and nine rebounds, Niño Ibanez chipped in 12 markers, while Riel Cervantes and Arvie Bringas had 11 and 10, respectively, to help secure the breakthrough victory.

The loss kept Sarangani winless through six outings.

Lars Sunga posted 12 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort, while Carl Bryan Lacap and Migs Pascual finished with 11 points each.

Danny Marilao contributed 10 points and three rebounds.

In the other game, the San Juan Knights Go for Gold punched their ticket to the playoffs after fending off the Muntinlupa Cagers, 81-73.

San Juan survived a late scare as Muntinlupa trimmed the deficit to 76-73 following a seven-point burst.

However, the Knights clamped down defensively and held the Cagers scoreless in the final 3:59 to seal their sixth straight victory and guarantee a top-three finish in Group B of the nine-team round-robin eliminations.

Terrence Fortea knocked down a crucial three-pointer down the stretch, while Michael Calisaan delivered a putback to restore control for San Juan.

Muntinlupa dropped out of contention with a 2-4 record.

Bacolodnon Harold Alarcon earned Best Player honors after tallying 12 points and five rebounds.

Calisaan recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 boards, while Negrense Reyland Torres added 11 points.

Muntinlupa drew 20 points and four assists from MJ dela Virgen, 15 points from Miguel Ives Corteza, and an all-around effort of 12 points, eight assists, six rebounds, and two steals from Shawn Argente./ASC, WDJ