Streaking San Juan led throughout and trounced Manila Batang Quiapo, 88-61, on Thursday, July 17, to share the lead in Manny Pacquiao presents MPBL 2025 Season at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila.
Powered by Michael Calisaan, the San Juan Knights cruised to their ninth straight win and raised their record to 18-1, the same as the Abra Solid North Weavers and the Nueva Ecija Vanguards in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
Calisaan posted 19 points and 6 rebounds, followed by AC Soberano with 11 points ans 2 steals, Nikko Panganiban with 10 points, and Dexter Maiquez with 8 points and 5 rebounds.
Manila fell to 2-18 despite Alfred Sedillo’s 23-point, 7-rebound effort.
The Ilagan Isabela Cowboys also extended their hot streak with an 80-66 thumping of the Cebu Greats earlier.
Riding on a balanced offense, the Cowboys led by as far as 77-57 en route to their fourth consecutive victory and an 11-8 slate.
Jayboy Solis notched 12 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals, Mark Dyke 11 points, all in the fourth quarter, and Joshua Guiab 11 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists for the Cowboys, who are bidding to make the playoffs in their maiden stint.
Donald Gumaru and Allan Santos contributed 9 points each, while Mark Dela Cruz, returning after a two-month absence, chipped in 5 points and 5 rebounds in just 6 minutes and 48 seconds of play.
Cebu slid to 5-11 as only Jun Manzo struck back with 28 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals. Homegrown Mark Meneses tallied 8 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals.
The Quezon Huskers led all the way and subdued the Bacolod Tubo Slashers, 85-74,in the opener.
Powered by Gab Banal, LJ Gonzales and Vince Magbuhos, the Huskers surged ahead at 59-39 and rose to 16-3.
Banal chalked up 13 points and 3 rebounds to clinch best player honors over Gonzales with 12 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals, and Magbuhos 12 points and 3 rebounds.
Bacolod tumbled to 2-17 despite Mark Ray Malazarte’s 17 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals; Aldave Canoy’s 15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks; and Mart James Barrera’s 15 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
The MPBL takes a break from July 18 to July 20 in deference to MPBL Founder and Chairman Manny Pacquiao’s fight against Mario Barrios for the WBC (World Boxing Council) welterweight belt on Saturday, July 19 (Sunday, July 20, Philippine time) at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
It will resume on July 21 with games pitting Pangasinan against Imus at 4 p.m., Abra against Davao at 6 p.m., and Batangas against Mindoro at 8 p.m. at the Batangas City Coliseum.
