Keanu Caballero’s buzzer-beater half-court heave lifted Rizal past Batangas City, 87-86, in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season late Friday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The desperation shot negated Jong Baloria’s completed four-point play and Cedrick Ablaza’s first free throw that handed Batangas back the lead, 86-84, with 4.8 seconds left.

Ablaza missed the second, allowing Rizal’s Michael Canete to grab the rebound and flick the ball to the speeding Caballero who had to let it fly approaching the midcourt marker.

The stunner handed the Golden Coolers their third straight win and a share of top spot with Nueva Ecija and Pampanga, who rallied to beat General Santos City, 76-73, earlier in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.

Down by five with 47.8 seconds to go, the Rhum Masters struck through clutch triples by Justine Dela Virgen and Ablaza against a layup by Rizal’s Robin Nayve and threatened at 81-84. Nayve then canned two free throws, but nearly turned goat when he fouled Baloria while firing a triple.

Rizal’s Eric Camson clinched Best Player honors with 25 points, 11 rebounds and three steals. Other Golden Coolers who delivered were Canete with 16 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals, Alwyn Alday with 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal, Neil Tolentino with 11 points, and Nayve with 10 points, two rebounds and two assists.

Caballero settled for 8 points, six assists and four rebounds, but got all the accolades from his teammates and Rizal fans and supporters.

Batangas, which tumbled to 1-2, drew 22 points plus two rebounds from Levi Hernandez, 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists and 4 four steals from Ablaza and 12 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals in the seesaw battle marked by 25 lead changes and 15 ties.