Basilan Starhorse bested Ilagan Isabela, 67-61, on Monday and revved up its playoff drive in Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Orion Sports Complex in Bataan.
A reverse floater layup by Alex Cabagnot, followed by a hurried, contested jumper by Emman Calo in the homestretch, sealed the Portmasters’ 13th win against 11 losses that fortified their hold of the eighth slot in the South Division of the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team, 2-division tournament.
“Another clutch performance from Alex,” said the amiable co-team owner Jackson Chua of Red Dynasty. “Hopefully, with this third straight win we could make it to the playoffs.”
In the other game, the Bataan Risers showed their sharpest form yet in a 132-53 crushing of the Paranaque Patriots.
All 15 Risers scored, seven in twin digits, as they led throughout and climbed to 10-15, good for the ninth spot in the North Division.
Cabagnot wound up with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, while Calo posted 18 points and 7 rebounds. Reymar Caduyac supported with 11 points plus 4 assists, and so did Arwind Santos with 15 rebounds, 4 points and 3 blocks, and Gab Dagangon with 9 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals.
The Cowboys slid to 13-12, but kept the eighth spot in the North Division.
Only Agem Miranda struck back for the Cowboys with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
Manila Batang Quiapo turned hot in the fourth quarter and routed Bulacan, 115-98, in the opener.
After climbing out of a 16-point hole, 49-65, and knotting the count at 77, the Manilenos turned to Joe Gomez De Liano, Achie Inigo and Alfred Sedillo in the last 10 minutes to catch up with the Kuyas at 3-20 in the North Division.
De Liano, the reigning MPBL slam dunk champion, and Inigo tallied 10 points each while Sedillo added 9 as they surpassed the Kuyas’ 21-point output in that span.
De Liano wound up with 35 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals to earn best player honors over Sedillo, who finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists, and Inigo with 18 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds.
