The Basilan Viva Portmasters quelled Caloocan Batang Kankaloo’s final rally to prevail, 92-82, on Wednesday and return to their course in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Orion Sports Complex in Bataan.
Comfortably ahead, 80-65, the Portmasters slowed down as the Batang Kankaloo gave chase and unloaded 13 points, capped by a Paul Sanga triple, against four by Emman Calo to close the gap, 78-84, with 1 minute and 24 seconds to go.
Sanga, however, was assessed a technical foul for delaying the game and Calo converted the accompanying free throw, followed by Sherwin Concepcion’s layup to seal the Portmasters’ third win in eight starts, 87-78, with 57.9 seconds left in the opener of another triple-bill in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
Equally impressive were the Bataan Risers rose from the deathbed and pulled off a magical 77-76 squeaker over the Muntinlupa Cagers in overtime and the Pampanga Giant Lanterns, who scored a 94-90 triumph over the Mindoro Tamaraws.
Sherwin Concepcion presided over Basilan’s onslaught with 22 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists, followed by Emman Calo with 21 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, and Alex Cabagnot with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
Other Portmasters who delivered were Ady Santos with 13 points and 6 rebounds and Pasturan with 10 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds.
Muntinlupa suffered its first loss after winning the first four games.
Robbi Darang posted 20 points, 8 assists, 4 assists and 3 rebounds for BataanForced into a see-saw battle, defending back-to-back champion Pampanga leaned on Archie Concepcion to thwart Mindoro and stay close to pacesetters Nueva Ecija (7-0) and San Juan (5-0) in the chase for playoff spots.
Concepcion, who poured 31 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, was supported by Chris Lalata with 14 points and 4 rebounds, and John Lloyd Clemente with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
Mindoro, now being coached by Bengie Teodoro, tumbled to 3-6 despite Bambam Gamalinda’s 24 points and 11 rebounds, Wendel Comboy’s 18 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, and RJ Ramirez’s 14 points, 6 assists and 2 steals.
