Basilan Starhorse leaned on the free throw accuracy of Enzo Navarro in the last minute to stun Pampanga, 89-82, on Tuesday in Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Navarro canned eight charities in that span as the Red Dynasty-backed Portmasters quashed the Giant Lanterns’ final rally and raised their record to 10-9 in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
“Good thing Enzo showed a nerve of steel at that stage, wala kaba,” said co-team owner Jackson Chua. “It was a huge victory, hopefully we can extend our winning streak even longer.”
The wily guard went on to finish with 14 points, highlighted by a perfect 9 of 9 from the stripe, 8 assists and 2 rebounds.
Basilan’s show of force overshadowed Nueva Ecija’s 94-78 drubbing of Bataan earlier that gave the Rice Vanguards a 19-1 slate and a share of the lead with the San Juan Knights and the Abra Solid North Weavers.
For consistency, it was Jervy Cruz who clinched the best player honors after the former UST star tallied 19 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assists.
He beat out Navarro and Emman Calo, who led the team with 22 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks.
Enzo Joson also shone with 12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists for the Portmasters, who converted 19 of 22 free throws for an impressive 86.4 percent, against the Giant Lanterns, who sank only 21 of 40 attempts for a mediocre 52.5 percent.
Pampanga, the reigning back-to-back champion, dropped to 15-6 despite ruling the boards, 61-33.
Larry Muyang grabbed 22 rebounds on top of 17 points and 2 steals for the Giant Lanterns, who made only 27 of 76 field goal attempts for 35 percent.
Pampanga also got 17 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals from John Lloyd Clemente and 11 points plus 4 rebounds from Jhan Mchale Nermal.
Jhaymo Eguilos bunched all of his 8 points in the homestretch to push Pampanga within 79-84, with only 12.5 seconds left.
Nueva Ecija’s Jaycee Marcelino posted 20 points and 4 assists to clinch best player honors over Will McAloney, with 15 points and 6 rebounds, and Rob Celiz, with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
The Rice Vanguards surged ahead, 83-63, midway through the fourth quarter and pulled down the Risers to 7-14 despite Yves Sazon’s 19 points and Alfred Flores’ 10 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.
Quezon City Galeries Taipan trounced Bacolod, 85-73, in the opener to improve to 6-14.
John Edcel Rojas paced the Taipans with 11 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists; followed by Dave Bernabe with 12 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks; and Nino Ibanez with 12 points and 2 assists.
Bacolod, which tumbled to 2-18, drew 14 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists from Jayvee Sam Adjei, and 14 points and 6 rebounds from Mart James Barrera.
