The Basilan Starhorse Portmasters got off to a roaring start and rolled to their fifth straight win with a 76-64 drubbing of Zamboanga Sikat in the MPBL 2025 Season on Monday, Sept. 8, mat the Calasiao Sports Complex in Pangasinan.
With Emman Calo presiding the team’s offense, the Portmasters, inspired by the presence of co-team owner Jackson Chua of Red Dynasty Seafood Restaurant, surged to a 26-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Former PBA MVP Arwind Santos also joined the scoring spree along with Gab Dagangon and Sherwin Concepcion as the Portmasters built a commanding 52-29 halftime lead which proved too much for Zamboanga to overcome.
The win improved Basilan’s record to 15-11 in the in the South Division of the 30-team tournament.
Calo finished with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists, Dagangon with 14 points plus 5 rebounds, and Santos with 10 points plus 9 rebounds.
Although Zamboanga is in third place in the South with a 17-9 slate, it has 3 tough games left against Binan Tatak Gel, Quezon Province and Caloocan.
Pangasinan thwarted Cebu, 83-77, and improved to 17-7, good for the fifth spot in the North Division.
Jorey Napoles led Pangasinan with 19 points, 17 rebounds and 3 steals, Allyn Bulanadi with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists, and Pedrito Galanza and Hesed Gabo with 9 points each.
Pasig City crawled out of a deep pit and stunned Ilagan Isabela, 75-67, in the opener.
