Pampanga, Gensan and Batangas battered their opponents on Friday to rev up their drive in the MPBL 2025 Season at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Powered by Larry Muyang and Jhaymo Eguilos, the Pampanga Giant Lanterns trounced the Quezon City Galeries Taipans, 90-73, in the nightcap to raise their record to 16-7 and share fourth spot with Caloocan Batang Kankaloo in the North Division.
The 6-foot-6 Muyang posted 20 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists to edge the 6-foot-6 Eguilos, who notched 12 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists for best player honors.
Archie Concepcion supported them with 9 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 steals, and Sonny Estil with 8 points and 3 rebounds.
Gensan, with six Warriors in double figures, routed the Bacolod Tubo Slashers, 104-71, in the second game and climbed to 14-9 behind the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters in the chase for South playoff spots in the 30-team, two-division tournament.
Mark Cruz contributed to the Warriors’ cause with 23 points and 6 rebounds, and so did Felix Apreku with 10 points, a night-high 24 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.
Batangas led from the start and dumped Marikina, 108-88, in the opener to grab the third spot with a 15-8 card, trailing only Quezon Province (17-4) and Zamboanga SiKat (16-7) in the chase for playoff berths in the South Division.
Powered by Dawn Ocea, John Ambulodto and Levi Hernandez, Batangas surged ahead, 24-16, after the first quarter and never wavered.
