The Muntinlupa Cagers battered the Paranaque Patriots, 83-60, on Thursday to regain footing in Manny Pacquiao presents MPBL 2025 Season at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.
Powered by Dom Matillano, the Cagers erected a 73-45 spread after three quarters and never let up to notch their eighth win against two losses in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
Muntinlupa caught up with Quezon Province and trailed Abra and Pampanga (both 9-1), San Juan (9-0) and Nueva Ecija (10-0) in the chase for playoff spots.
Matillano, who posted 22 points, highlighted by six triples, 5 assists and 4 triples, was supported by Patrick Ramos, Kurt Lojera and Mart James Barrera with 9 points each, and Mark Sarangay with 7 points and 10 rebounds.
With Matillano making 6 of 10 attempts, the Cagers drilled in 15 of 37 for a 40.5 percent conversion rate against only 22.7 percent (5 of 22) for the Patriots, who skidded to 1-7.
Paranaque drew 20 points and 15 rebounds from Alvin Capobres, 11 points plus 8 rebounds from Deo Timajo and 12 points from homegrown Paolo Castro.
The MPBL goes to the Marikina Sports Complex on Friday with games pitting Manila against Imus at 4 p.m., Cebu against Mindoro at 6 p.m., and Marikina against Bulacan at 8 p.m.
