At 44, former PBA MVP Arwind Santos is still a force to reckon with.
And he proved that age is just a number as he produced significant numbers in helping the Basilan Starhorse eke out a thrilling 76-65 win over Paranaque in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season on Wednesday, June 18, at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
In what could be his best game so far, the 6-foot-4 Santos tallied14 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals as the Portmasters improved their record to 7-8, a development that delighted team patron Jackson Chua.
“This time, Arwind showed he’s still a potent force and dependable,” said Chua of his prized forward.
Also delivering for Basilan Starhorse were James Tempra with 14 points and 9 rebounds, Emman Calo with 13 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds, and Gab Dagangon with 12 points and 7 rebounds.
The game was tight until Santos and company lowered the boom in the last two minutes to finally seal the deal in the tournament that saw the Pampanga Giant Lanterns avert a major collapse with a 60-57 victory over Binan Tatak Gel.
Pampanga, the reigning back-to-back titlist, wasted a 56-39 spread early in the fourth quarter, allowed Binan to threaten at 57-58, and banked on Larry Muyang’s two free throws with 5.8 seconds left to tally its 12th win against 4 losses in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament
Basilan dominated the boards, 67-36, against Paranaque, which put up a tough fight midway through the fourth quarter, 62-64, using an eight-man rotation.
The Quezon Huskers blitzed the Bulacan Kuyas in the first quarter and proceeded to tally a coast-to-coast 91-61 victory in the opener.
