THE Cebu Greats suffered another heart-pounding defeat in the 2025 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), bowing to the Biñan Tatak Gel Beast Motorcycle GameX, 81-78, at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna, on Thursday, July 3, 2025.
Despite the loss, however, the outstanding performance of Cebuano veteran and former PBA mainstay Joseph Ronald Quiñahan caught everyone’s attention, even impressing MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes.
The 41-year-old former member of Rain or Shine and NLEX Warriors in the PBA dropped 31 points, including three three-pointers, one sunk right in front of ex-PBA standout and former Gilas Pilipinas member Marc Pingris.
The scoring outburst may most likely be Quinahan’s career-high as a professional player. His previous best was 25 points, recorded during the game of Rain or Shine against Tropang TNT on March 21, 2016, in the PBA.
Down by 16 points, 54-70, at the end of the third quarter, the Cebu Greats staged a 17-2 rally, sparked by Quiñahan’s three-point shot, and narrowed the gap to 71-72 with 5:09 remaining.
Joining Quiñahan in the scoring spree were Mark Meneses and Jan Jamon, who finished the game with 14 and 11 points, respectively.
The rally alarmed Biñan coach Boyet Fernandez, who immediately called a timeout to regroup his team.
Quick baskets from Jaymar Gimpayan and a clutch three-pointer from Carlo Lastimosa pushed Biñan ahead again, 77-73, with 1:21 left.
With unwavering determination, Quiñahan buried a three-pointer and followed it with a driving layup, bringing Cebu within one, 78-79, and giving Biñan a real scare.
The Cebu Greats had a chance to take the lead or win the game, when Charles Martel intercepted Gimpayan’s pass with 14 seconds remaining.
However, Lastimosa cleverly recovered the ball from Paul Desiderio in the return play, sealing the win and extinguishing the Cebuanos’ hopes.
The defeat dropped the Cebu Greats to 25th place in the overall standings with a 4-14 record.
Biñan (10-7), led by Lastimosa and Kenny Rogers Rocacurva with 16 points each, climbed to 12th place.
“The players took a while to pick up the game and adjust to the referee’s calls. In the third quarter, I just told Proktoy (Quiñahan) to focus. He already knows what that means,” said Cebu head coach Junthy Valenzuela, who -- like Quiñahan -- also also played under coach Yeng Guiao in the PBA.
Point guard Jun Manzo, the Cebu Greats’ leading scorer in their game against Pampanga, left the court early after receiving two technical fouls.
“Manzo’s early exit was a huge loss for the team. It disrupted my rotation. So I relied on Macmac (Tallo) and Paul (Desiderio). We also have many injuries in the team right now. My rotation is very short,” Valenzuela added.
Cebu will look to bounce back when they face Imus Braderhood (8-10) on July 11 at the Imus City Sports Complex. / JBM