Streaking Batangas and Rizal Province took different routes toward victories in the South Division of the MPBL 2025 Season on Tuesday at the Ynares Center Montalban.
The Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters thwarted the Davao Occidental Tigers, 66-62, in the second game, while the Rizal Xentromall Golden Coolers led throughout and routed the Bulacan Kuyas, 95-59, in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team, two-division tournament.
Pasig City foiled Marikina’s repeated rallies in the fourth quarter and prevailed, 76-72, in the opener to rise to 10-15 and stay in playoff contention.
Davao clawed to within 58-61 on a triple by Joseph Terso, but Mark Niel Cruz completed a 3-point play and Dawn Ochea nailed a jumper to seal Batangas’ sixth straight win and 18-8 record 18th that push the Rum Masters past Zamboanga SiKat (17-8), but far from Quezon Province (21-4).
Rizal improved to 16-8, distancing from Gensan (15-10) and Basilan (14-11) in the jostling for spots in the playoffs.
Edward Paul Labayen, a prized recruit from Our Lady of Fatima University Phoenix, struck for Rizal with 13 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists; followed by Eric Camson with 12 points plus 4 rebounds, Neil Tolentino with 11 points plus 2 rebounds, and Alwyn Alday with 10 points and 2 assists.
Also-ran Bulacan, which got 11 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists from Joseph Celso, slumped to 3-22 and last place in the North Division led by Abra (23-1), Nueva Ecija (23-2) and San Juan (22-2).
Levi Hernandez led Batangas with 15 points and 3 rebounds, followed by Philip Paniamogan with 13 points and 2 assists, and Cruz with 11 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals.
