Basilan Viva and Binan Tatak Gel took the same route to victories in Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season on Wednesday at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.
The Lagunenses led throughout and by as many as 16 points in the nightcap before thwarting the Rizal Xentromall Golden Coolers, 66-63, and duplicating the Portmasters’ wire-to-wire 75-72 triumph over Gensan coming from a 16-point spread.
Basilan, powered by Adi Santos and Sherwin Concepcion, pulled away at 46-30, but needed to fend off a Val Acuna-sparked Gensan rally to rise to 4-7 and add fuel to its drive for a playoff spot.
Santos wound up with 20 points and 3 rebounds for Basilan, which got 12 points and 4 rebounds from Concepcion, and 10 points plus 4 rebounds from Jervy Cruz.
The Portmasters also drew 8 points and 6 rebounds from Joseph Tempra, 7 points plus 9 rebounds from Gab Dagangon, and 7 points plus 6 rebounds from Enzo Joson.
Gensan slipped to 6-6 despite Acuna’s 23 points, spiked by five triples, Marwin Dionisio’s 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, and Kyle Tolentino’s 10 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists.
Marc Pingris bunched six points opening the fourth quarter to push Binan ahead, 60-46, but Rizal refused to give up and with Michael Canete at the firing end threatened at 61-64 with 2 minutes and 15 seconds to go.
Kenny Roger Rocacurva, however, scored on a breakaway drive with 1 minute and nine seconds left to seal Binan’s seventh straight win and an 8-3 slate in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
Rocacurva tallied 16 points and 3 rebounds to clinch best player honors over Michael Maestre, who carded 11 points and 5 rebounds, and Pingris, who scored 10 plus 7 rebounds.
Rizal skidded to 8-4 despite Canete’s 14 points and 4 rebounds, Samboy De Leon’s 12 and 8, and Joel Nayve’s 10 plus 2.
Muntinlupa repelled Davao Occidental’s repeated rallies and prevailed, 89-80, in the opener.
