The General Santos Warriors repulsed the Rizal Xentromall Golden Coolers, 96-89, in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.
With Rizal erasing a 16-point deficit and closing in twice, 79-84, and 86-90, GenSan got the boost from Val Acuna, Joel Lee Yu and Nico Elorde to tally its eighth victory against six losses. Rizal fell to 9-5.
Acuna drilled in three of his six triples in the fourth quarter and finished with 21 points, while Elorde posted 16 points, five rebounds and five assists.
In other games, Biñan Tatak Gel shone with a 92-73 drubbing of Parañaque, while the Davao Occidental Tigers bared their fangs in the fourth quarter and subdued the Bulacan Kuyas, 74-62.
Jaymar Gimpayan pumped in 17 points and 16 rebounds while Ryan Isaac Sual and Kenny Roger Rocacurva chipped in 11 points for Biñan, who led by as many as 63-40 before clinching their ninth win in 12 games.
Pamboy Raymundo provided support with nine points, five rebounds and five assists, while Joseph Peñaredondo added nine points, three rebounds and three assists.
Parañaque absorbed its eighth straight defeat to plummet near the cellar at 1-11 as only James Mangahas and Kevin Buenaflor hit the target with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Jeff Comia wound up with 19 points and seven rebounds even as Reymart Escobido added 13 points for the Tigers, who improved to 4-11. The Kuyas slid to 1-14.
