The Cebu Greats suffered a 75–80 defeat against the Basilan Steel in the Sports Plus MPBL 2026 Season on Monday, April 27, at the San Jose del Monte Sports Complex in Bulacan.
Strong Start, Faded Finish
Cebu came out strong and built a 50–40 lead. However, Basilan mounted a fierce comeback with a significant run that turned the game around.
John Wilson's MVP Performance
Leading the charge for Basilan was the 2019 MVP John Wilson, who delivered an outstanding performance. He scored 33 points, including seven three-pointers, and also grabbed nine rebounds and recorded two steals.
Basilan executed a decisive 16–4 run, with Wilson contributing 11 points, to take a 56–54 lead. Cebu managed to tie the game at 66–66 after a drive by Brian Heruela, but Gelo Loristo responded with four consecutive points, giving Basilan a 70–66 advantage at the end of the third quarter.
The Steel extended their lead by hitting additional three-point shots, and Cebu was unable to recover.
Key Performers
Mark Meneses led Cebu with 18 points and six rebounds. Dhon Reverente added 10 points, while Heruela contributed nine points, nine rebounds, and five assists. For Basilan, JV Casio chipped in with eight points, and Cebuano Gab Cometa scored nine.
Looking Ahead
With the loss, the Cebu Greats now hold a 2–2 record. They will face the Bataan Risers on May 2 at the FilOil Centre in San Juan.
