Archie Concepcion bunched seven points in the homestretch to push Pampanga past Rizal, 74-71, on Tuesday, June 10, and regain traction in Manny Pacquiao presents MPBL 2025 Season at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The Rizal Xentromall Golden Coolers were threatening at 65-68, when Concepcion struck, drilling in an alley-oop triple, two free throws and a layup against two charities by Samboy De Leon to pad the Giant Lanterns’ lead to 72-67 with 1 minute and 42 seconds left.
De Leon converted two more freebies, but Jeepy Faundo sealed Pampanga’s 11th win against 4 losses in the elimination round of the 30-team tournament with two free throws in the last 3.9 seconds.
Concepcion clinched best player honors with 22 points, laced by four triples, and 3 rebounds over Larry Muyang with 10 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks.
Raymond Binuya tallied 8 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists, Faundo 6 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks, and Jhaymo Eguilos 6 points plus 7 rebounds for Pampanga, which recovered from a 74-82 beating it suffered against Nueva Ecija at the same venue on June 6.
Rizal fell to 9-6 despite De Leon’s 20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals, and Eric Camson’s 18 points plus 8 rebounds.
The Pasay Voyagers returned to orbit with an 81-66 thrashing of the Valenzuela City Magic earlier.
Ruling the boards, 70-42, the Voyagers surged ahead by 20 points (39-19) and were never headed to recover from a two-game slide and improve to 9-7 in the race for playoff berths.
Cyrus Tabi presided over the Voyagers’ assault with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals, followed by Felipe Chavez with 12 points, 5 rbeounds and 2 assist, Jopet Soriano with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists, and Jasper Salenga with 10 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists.
Valenzuela stumbled to 2-11 as only Jan Formento with 26 points, 5 assists and 2 rebounds, and JR Alabanza with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals found their range.
The Bulacan Kuyas pounced on the poor-shooting Bacolod Tubo Slashers to prevail, 69-63, in the opener.
Drilling in 8 of 17 triple attempts, the Kuyas led the Tubo Slashers, who could only make 4 of 22 attempts, for 33 minutes and 46 seconds and improved to 2-14.
John Rey Sumido posted 22 points, spiked by 4 triples, and 5 rebounds, while Joseph Celso notched 20 points, 14 rebounds and 2 blocks for Bulacan, which dropped 13 straight before winning two of its last three.
They were supported by Joseph Mark Marquez with 7 points and 4 rebounds, Jebb Bulawan with 6 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks, and Gino Jumao-as with 6 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
Bacolod, further hounded by a 9 of 22 performance from the charity line, trailed by as many as 46-59 and dropped to 2-12.
The Tubo Slashers, composed mainly of homegrown talents, got 15 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds from Mark Rey Dubouzet, 14 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals
from Chester Saldua, and 10 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals from Jaycee Sam Adjei.
The MPBL returns to the Alonte Sports Arena on Wednesday with games pitting Mindoro against Sarangani at 4 p.m., Pasig against Basilan at 6 p.m., and host Binan against Davao at 8 p.m.
