It was Arwind Santos’ turn to shine for Basilan Starhorse as the Portmasters rolled to their sixth straight win with a 92-80 drubbing of the Muntinlupa Cagers in the MPBL 2025 Season on Friday, Sept. 12, at the Paco Arena in Manila.
In his best game so far, the 6-foot-4 former PBA MVP winner tallied 18 points – the bulk came at the time of the team decisive breakaway – apart from grabbing 9 boards, three of them offensively.
Santos, 44, also had 2 assists and 2 steals, in a performance that drew raves from co-team owner Jackson Chua.
“Slowly but surely, Arwind is getting back to his old deadly self, iba ang may experience,” said Chua with a smile. “Hopefully, he can sustain his fine form, malapit na ang playoffs.”
Fellow PBA veteran Alex Cabagnot, 42, continued his hot form by bunched eight points, capped by back-to-back triples to push Basilan ahead for good, 71-64.
With the win, the Basilan Starhorse climbed to sixth spot in the South Division with a 16-11 mark.
Cabagnot finished with 15 points, 7 assists and 3 rebounds followed by Gab Dagangon with 13 points and 7 rebound; Emman Calo with 12 points, 7 assists, 2 steals and 2 rebounds; and James Tempra with 10 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists.
Equally impressive were the Pampanga Giant Lanterns, who battered the Paranaque Patriots, 135-78, to rise to 18-8 – thanks to a balanced scoring.
John Lloyd Clemente made 14 of 16 field goal attempts en route to 32 points, along with 6 rebounds and 5 assists, that broke the Patriots’ backs, who were within 47-52 at halftime.
Other Giant Lanterns who shone were Jhaymo Eguilos with 12 points and 11 rebounds, Jhan Nermal with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists; Larry Muyang, with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals, Rence Alcoriza with 12 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds; Chris Lalata with 11 points plus 8 rebounds, and Jeepy Faundo with 10 points plus 5 rebounds.
The Ilagan Isabela Cowboys outgunned the Marikina Shoemasters, 106-79, in the opener and virtually secured the No. 8 slot in the North.
