PANGASINAN banked on Michael Mabulac’s short jumper to nip Zamboanga Master Sardines, 75-74, on Saturday and share the spotlight with Abra and Valenzuela in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Calasiao Sports Complex.
Abra routed Muntinlupa, 88-59, in the opener to sustain its climb while Valenzuela edged Rizal Xentromall, 76-73, in the second game to revive its playoffs drive in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.
Keeping their composure when Jaycee Marcelino buried a triple to give Zamboanga back the lead, 74-73, with eight seconds left the Heatwaves found a savior in Mabulac, who delivered off an assist by Hesed Gabo, whose layup was foiled by Marcelino earlier.
Mabulac wound up with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for Pangasinan, which improved to 9-14, followed by Michael Juico with 14 points and 5 rebounds, and Gabo with 13 points and 6 assists.
Trailing, 65-71, following a triple by Publico, the Heatwaves clustered 8 points, highlighted by Gabo’s two free throws and a triple to seize control, 73-71, with 12.9 seconds to go.
Zamboanga, which led for 35 minutes and 51 minutes, fell to 16-6 despite Pdedrito Galanza’s 17-point, 10 in the fourth quarter, 7-rebound effort, Marcelino’s 15 points plus 4 rebounds, and Publico’s 15 points plus 3 rebounds.
The Abra Weavers, powered by Wendelino Comboy in the first half, cruised to their fourth straight win and a 14-7 card.
Comboy poured in all of his 17 points in that span to give Zamboanga a 48-43 spread from which Muntinlupa couldn’t recover and tumble to 7-16.
Abra also got 12 points from Jun Manzo and 11 each from Will Keane Lee and Arvie Bringas.
The Valenzuela Classics, powered by Darell Manliguez, evened their slate at 11-11, inching closer to the Rizal Golden Coolers’ 12-11 card.
Manliguez chalked 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists to clinch the Daily Fantasy best player honors over Mark Mantuano, who tallied 15 points and 6 rebounds. Veteran Cyrus Baguio and Carl Bryan Lacap contributed 11 points each for Valenzuela, which snapped a three-game slide.
Rizal got 16 points from Alwyn Alday, 15 from Kraniel Villoria, 14 from John Apacible and 12 from Jerie Pingoy.
The MPBL goes to the Alonte Sports Binan on Monday with a triple bill pitting Paranaque against Marikina at 4 p.m., Pasay against Caloocan at 6 p.m., and Nueva Ecija against host Binan.
