The Quezon Huskers rode the clutch hits of LJ Gonzales to stun the San Juan Knights, 84-83, late Saturday, allowing the Abra Solid North Weavers to grab the solo lead in Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Lucena City Convention Center.
The Weavers subdued the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys, 76-59, in the second game for their 22nd win against one loss, moving ahead of the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards (21-1) and the Knights (21-2) in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
Gonzales scored Quezon’s first nine points in the fourth quarter and then capped his heroics by sinking the two deciding free throws with 4.2 seconds to go.
San Juan had a chance to reverse the outcome, but Michael Calisaan got blocked by Vince Magbuhos just outside the shaded lane.
Gonzales posted 18 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists to power the Huskers to an 18-4 record, the best in the South Division.
Judel Fuentes supported with 11 points, 3 steals, 2 rebounds and 2 assists, followed by Magbuhos and Ximone Sandagon with 9 points each for the Huskers, who missed the services of JP Sarao and Joseph Gabayni due to injuries.
Dave Ildefonso shone for Abra with 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists to earn another best player award.
Mike Ayonayon provided support with 11 points and 2 rebounds and so did John Uduba with 5 points and a game-high 16 rebounds. which gave Abra a 56-37 edge off the boards. The Weavers ruled the boards, 56-37, and converted this to more points in the paint, 30-20, as well as fastbreaks, 20-8.
The Weavers bunched 13 points to pull away at 57-28 midway through the third quarter, but the Cowboys persevered to cut the gap as they tumbled to 12-10.
The Cebu Greats sustained their climb with an 87-71 drubbing of the Bulacan Kuyas in the opener.
Powered anew by former University of the Philippines stalwarts Paul Desiderio and Jun Manzo, Cebu notched its fourth straight win and remained in the playoff hunt with a 9-15 slate.
Desiderio posted 24 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists to capture best player honors over Manzo, who tallied 16 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
Abra grabs MPBL lead as Quezon stuns San Juan
