By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Mindoro Tamaraws rode on homegrown JC Recto to overpower Bacolod Masskara, 90-70, and remain in playoff contention in Group A of the 2026 MPBL Preseason Invitational at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.

The 6-foot-4 Recto, a former star of the Mapua Cardinals, pooled 31 points, including a perfect 11 of 11 free throws, 11 rebounds and six assists as the Mindoro Tamaraws improved to a 5-3 record.

Pacesetter Abra Solid North (6-0) and Batangas (6-1) are assured of playoff seats, with the third and last slot in the nine-team group to be disputed by Mindoro, Gensan (3-2) and Biñan (3-3).

Other Tamaraws who delivered were Jayvee dela Cruz with 14 points and two rebounds, Jonas Tibayan with eight points, six rebounds and two assists, and homegrown Jayjay Caspe with seven points.

Bacolod tumbled to 1-5 despite the 15-point outputs of Reil Cervantes and Nino Ibañez, and Arvie Bringas’ 10 points plus nine rebounds.

Bacolod moved to within 69-80 early in the third quarter, but Caspe and Drick Acosta pooled seven points to pad Mindoro’s lead to 87-69./ASC, WDJ