ZAMBOANGA Sikat and Pasay thwarted separate rivals on Thursday to keep in step with Quezon Province in Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
The Zamboanguenos derailed the Cebu Greats, 74-70, in the second game while the Pasay Voyagers repelled the Bacolod Tubo Chargers’ repeated rallies to prevail, 96-84, in the nightcap of another triple-bill in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team, two-division tournament.
The Quezon Huskers battered the Sarangani Grippers in the fourth quarter and won, 94-77, in the opener to raise their record to 20-4 and tighten their hold of the top spot in the South Division.
Zamboanga, powered by JP Cauilan, Abdul Sawat and Alvin Capobres, climbed to 17-8, second behind Quezon in the jostling for South playoff positions.
Sinking 6 of 9 triple attempts, Cauilan finished with 20 points plus 6 rebounds; Sawat 16 point, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, and Capobres 10 points.
Jun Manzo posted 20 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, but couldn’t prevent Cebu from skidding after a five-game run as only Mac Tallo provided support with 11 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
Bothered by a hamstring injury, Cebu gunner Paul Desiderio went scoreless after a 3-minute and 53-second stint.
With Christian Fajarito at the helm, Pasay pulled away, 90-76, midway through the fourth quarter en route to a 17-8 slate that assured it of a playoff spot in the North Division, being led by Abra (22-1), Nueva Ecija (22-2) and San Juan (21-2).
Fajarito notched 25 points, including a triple and a dunk, 8 rebounds and 2 steals, followed by Dhon Reverente with 11 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists, and Jasper Salonga with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
Bacolod, which tumbled to 3-21, got 15 points from Jaycee Sam Adjei, 13 from Mark Ray Malazarte, and 10 each from Mart James Barrera and Aldave Canoy.
Held to a 60-60 count, the Huskers drew back-to-back baskets from Mon Abundo and Diego Dario to open the floodgates that pushed them to an 88-69 spread halfway through the fourth quarter.
Judel Fuentes tallied 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and was chosen best player over LJ Gonzales, who chalked up 12 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals, and Diego Dario, who posted 12 points and 4 rebounds.
Sarangani skidded to 9-15 despite Kyt Jimenez’s 11 points, 10 assists and 3 rebounds from Kyt Jimenez and 13 points plus 8 rebpounds from Coy Alvez.
The MPBL goes to the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Friday, with games pitting Rizal against Marikina at 4 p.m., Gensan against Batangas at 6 p.m., and San Juan against Binan at 8 p.m.
