The Quezon Huskers started hot and sustained the fire throughout to trounce the Binan Tatak Gel, 79-64, on Saturday and gain a share of the lead in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
Joseph Gabayni scored six points as the Huskers zoomed ahead, 13-0, and proceeded to notch their third straight victory, joining defending champion Pampanga and retooled Rizal Xentromall at the top of the 30-team field.
With Alfrancis Tamsi, Judel Fuentes and Diego Dario joining the onslaught, the Huskers led by as
far as 57-34, signifying their bid to regain the North Division crown and challenge again for the national title.
Tamsi finished with 16 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, while Fuentes posted 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals to clinch best player honors. Diego Dario also delivered for Quezon with 13 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds.
The Huskers, however, may miss Top Gun LJ Gonzales in their next game after the former Far Eastern University star hurt his left ankle after making a triple and playing only for 31 seconds..
Binan skidded to 1-3 as only Pamboy Raymundo with 12 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals, and Carlo Lastimosa with 11 points and 2 steals struck back.
Pangasinan banked on Michael Mabulac’s short stab with a second left to nip Ilagan Isabela, 96-94, earlier.
The Pangasinan Heatwaves raised their record to 3-1 after erasing an 82-90 deficit brought about by the Cowboys’ 15-point binge.
Still behind, 87-92, with 1 minute and 7 seconds left, the Heatwaves scored nine points and held the Cowboys to just two to turn the game around.
Mabulac wound up with 23 points 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals to clinch best player honors. Hesed Gabo supported him with 15 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 steals, followed by Vic Manuel with 13 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals, Joshua Fontanilla with 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals, and Pedrito Galanza with 11 points, 2 rebounds and 2 steals.
The Cowboys, who tumbled to 2-2, got 19 points and 6 rebounds from Allen Mina, 15 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists from Arth Dela Cruz, 12 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals from Mark Dyke, 13 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists from JR Olegario, and 13 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds from Joshua Guiab.
Imus Braderhood tripped Zamboanga SIKAT, 81-79, in the opener to level its slate at 2-2.
Down by four, Imus closed out with six points, spiked by Jaypee Belencion’s triple, to snatch the win and pull down Zamboanga to 2-1.
Belencion led Imus with 17 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals, followed by Kint Ariar with 15 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, 7 rebounds and 2 steals, and Jayvee Dela Cruz with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
Zamboanga drew 18 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists from Abdul Sawat, 15 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals from John Edcel Rojas, 11 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals from Roi Sumang, and 10 points plus 3 rebounds from John Arthur Calisay.
The MPBL resumes on Monday, March 24, at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City with games pitting Bulacan against Abra at 4 p.m., debuting San Juan against Cebu at 6 p.m., and Quezon Province against Binan at 8 p.m.
The Quezon Huskers are seeking their third straight win and a share of the lead, while the San Juan Knights, the 2020 MPBL champions, are making their first appearance this season.