The Quezon Huskers found their mark afar and battered the Davao Occidental Tigers, 91-60, on Thursday to remain in sight of the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season pacesetters at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.
Former MVP Gab Banal rediscovered his shooting touch while Vince Magbuhos went perfect from the 3-point zone as the Huskers tallied their fifth straight win and climbed to 15-3 in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
The Huskers pace the South Division, which they topped last year, and trail North Division leaders and sure playoff qualifiers Nueva Ecija (18-0), Abra (17-1) and San Juan (16-1).
The Pasay Voyagers, powered by acquisition Christian Fajarito, led throughout in an 81-64 demolition of Imus Braderhood in the nightcap.
The 6-foot-6 Fajarito, a former Letran star who played for Binan Tatak Gel, tallied 27 points, laced by four triples, and 5 rebounds to lift Pasay to 12-8.
Muntinlupa absorbed its sixth straight loss and tumbled to 10-8.
The Gensan Warriors pounded the Paranaque Patriots without letup and won, 106-59, in the opener.
Smarting from their 82-86 defeat to the Quezon Huskers on July 1, the Warriors led as far as 104-53 and improved to 12-7.
Kyle Tolentino delivered the most for GenSan with 29 points, aided by five triples, 10 rebounds and 4 steals to earn best player honors over Joel Lee Yu with 14 points, 8 assists and 2 rebounds.
Other Warriors who struck hard were Von Tambeling with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists; Nico Elorde with 11 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds; Felix Apreku with 5 points plus 21 rebounds, and Marwin Dionisio with 8 points and 10 rebounds.
The MPBL goes to the Ynares Center in Pasig with games pitting Bacolod against Ilagan at 4 p.m., Valenzuela against Pangasinan at 6 p.m., and Imus against Cebu at 8 p.m.
Caption: Gab Banal rediscovers shooting touch for Quezon Province.
