By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Domark Matillano drilled in a jumper with 3.8 seconds left to lift the Parañaque Patriots past the Negros Hacienderos, 95-94, in the SportsPlus Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season at the Pasay Astrodome on Wednesday, July 15.

The 5-foot-11 find from the Philippine Merchant Marine School completed Parañaque’s comeback from as far as 38-57 down early in the third quarter and handed the Patriots their second win against 18 losses.

Negros had a chance to reverse the outcome, but Achie Inigo missed a buzzer-beating triple and the Hacienderos slipped to 1-14.

James Mangahas posted 20 points, 12 in the third quarter and six rebounds to clinch the SportsPlus best player.

Jomar Santos led the Patriots with 17 points and 12 rebounds; and Matillano, with 14 points, six assists and four rebounds.

Other Patriots who delivered were homegrown Paolo Castro, with 13 points and two rebounds; Marlon Monte, with 12 points, three rebounds and two assists; and Ryusei Koga with nine points and nine rebounds.

Negros was led by Michael Alvarez with 27 points, seven rebounds and two assists, as well as Reymar Caduyac’s 17 points, nine assists and six rebounds./ASC, WDJ