The Imus Braderhood ruled the boards and bounced back with a 122-111 victory over Manila Batang Quiapo on Friday in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Marikina Sports Complex.
Powered by homegrown Eroll Soriano and Jayjay Caspe, Imus pulled away, 100-79, after three quarters and proceeded to level its slate at 6-6 in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
Cebu cruised past Mindoro, 85-72, afterwards, while Marikina started hot and trounced Bulacan, 100-90, in the nightcap.
The 6-foot-3 Soriano posted 25 points and 13 rebounds, while Caspe tallied 23 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals to clinch best player honors.
Kint Ariar, a former Letran Knight, delivered 11 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks; Mark Doligon 16 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds; and Regie Boy Basibas 13 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists for Imus, which posted a huge 66-42 edge underneath.
Manila tasted its 10th straight loss after an initial win despite John Ashley Faa’s triple-double 24 points, 11 rebounds and 16 assists to go with 4 steals, and Richard Albo’s 25 points plus 4 rebounds.
Batang Quiapo also got 15 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals from Achie Inigo, 10 points plus 9 rebounds from Marvin Alvarez, 10 points plus 4 rebounds from Dekoy Lopez, and 10 points from Dustin Ambrosio.
Ahead, 46-33, the Cebu Classic bunched 11 points, capped by a triple by 6-foot-8 Ken Holmqvist, to pull away for good and improve to 4-7.
Limuel Tampus led Cebu with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assists, followed by John Jabonete with 11 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists, Mark Meneses with 10 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks, and Darell Manliguez with 9 points, 5 assists and 2 rebounds.
Mindoro skidded to 5-7 as Wendelino Comboy’s 23 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals went for naught. The Tamaraws drew 13 points, 11 rebounds and 2 assists from Joseph Sedurifa and 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals from Brandrey Bienes.
Playing in their hometown for the first time this year, the Marikina Shoemasters opened the game with a 19-point cluster, sparked by RR Casajeros and capped by Nem Dela Cruz’s triple, en route to a 2-10 slate.
Dela Cruz chalked up 25 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals, while Casajeros finished with 16 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds. Karl Penano supported them with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists, and Jomel Landayan with 11 points and 5 assists.
Bulacan, the league’s doormat at 0-13, drew 32 points and 9 rebounds from John Rey Sumido, 15 points and 13 rebounds from Joseph Celso, and 14 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals from Gino Jumao-as.
Soriano stars as Braderhood mauls Batang Quiapo; Cebu wins
