Quezon Province begins defense of its South Division crown against Binan Tatak Gel in the MPBL 2025 Season at 7 p.m. on Monday at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
Boasting a deeper and stronger roster, the Quezon Huskers are slight picks over the Lagunenses, who are first-timers in the best-of-five division finals.
led by Judel Fuentes, Alfrancis Tamsi and Diego Dario, Quezon trounced Binan, 79-64, in the elimination round.
With LJ Fuentes, Gab Banal, Will Gozum, Ximone Sandagon, Jason Opiso, and JP Sarao providing more firepower, Quezon is ready to pounce on Binan, which stunned Batangas, 2-1, in the semifinal round.
Other Huskers who can deliver for Coach Louie Gonzales are Vince Magbuhos, Alvin Abundo, Joseph Gabayni and local icon Topeng Lagrama.
Binan will lean on Kenny Roger Rocacurva and Carlo Lastimosa for the points, and Warren Bonifacio, Marc Pingris and Jaymar Gimpayan for the rebounds.
Bam Lopez, Binan’s surprise package against Batangas, is expected to get more playing time with Enzo Subido and Keith Pido to fill the role of starting guard Pamboy Raymundo, who’ll be serving a one-game suspension.
The Huskers prevailed over the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters, 2-1, in last year’s South Finals, but got swept by the Pampanga Giant Lanterns, 3-0, in the 2024 National Finals, the first two games of which were staged in Dubai, UAE.
Caption: Judel Fuentes plays a key role for the Quezon Huskers.
