MANILA, Philippines – Joseph Gabayni’s services were allegedly the subject of a “tug-of-war” between Terrafirma and TNT, but no one came out on top.

Bulacan of the MPBL is presently using the 14th overall pick from the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft.

In actuality, he has been there since April 14 – one whole month before the PBA on Tour got underway.

Johnedel Cardel, the head coach of Terrafirma, was left perplexed when TNT included Gabayni in their roster for the preseason competition.

Currently averaging 14.6 points and 10.9 rebounds per game for the Kuyas, the imposing 6-foot-5 big man from Lyceum of the Philippines University is on fire.

A team’s MPBL contract typically lasts until they are eliminated from contention for the national championship.

While the playoffs often end in December, the regular season ends in October.

Gabayni will only be an unrestricted free agent next year, thus Cardel emphasized that any interested parties will have to go via them if he decides to return to the PBA.

Gabayni’s absence from the depleted Dyip at the moment, however, could not be ignored by Cardel, who lamented it.

Meanwhile, Defeating Imus thanks to the Marcelino twins in the MPBL

In the fifth season of the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) on Thursday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines defeated Imus SV Squad, 71 to 54, by relying on twins Jayvee and Jaycee Marcelino.

In the single round-robin eliminations of the 29-team competition, Zamboanga’s Marcelinos team outscored the SV Squad 26 to 20 in the second half, which was more than enough to capture Zamboanga’s 9th victory against two losses.

With the win, Zamboanga stayed within striking distance of the league’s top teams, Bacoor (10 to 1) and Pampanga (11 to 0).

At the cost of Jaycee, who added 5 rebounds and 4 assists for Zamboanga, the 2023 MPBL Preseason Invitational champion, Jayvee’s 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and best player stats allowed him to win the award.

In order to help Zamboanga come back from a 30 to 43 disadvantage early in the third quarter, Dexter Maiquez contributed 10 points and 5 rebounds.

While Imus received 12 points from Johnsherick Estrada, 9 points from Carlo Lastimosa, and 8 points from Marc Pingis, they were unable to overcome their 4 to 7 record.

Other matches saw Marikina upset Negros by a score of 69 to 58 and Rizal Xentromall defeat Oriental Mindoro by a score of 75 to 68.

Jason Strait came in second place for the Shoemasters with 15 points and 6 rebounds, followed by Felipe Chavez with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Jason Opiso scored 9 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and Marwin Dionisio finished with 12 points. With just Jason Melano and Bernie Bregondo scoring in double digits (12 and 10 points, respectively), the Negros Muscovados fell to 4 to 8.

Art Patrick Aquino contributed 14 points and six rebounds for the Rizal Golden Coolers, Edgar Charcos added 13 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, and Troy Mallillin added 12 points and twelve rebounds to help the team improve to 4 to 9.

Agem Miranda scored 25 points, pulled down 11 rebounds, and assisted on 7 shots, but the Mindoro Disiplinados still finished 2 to 10.