San Juan hangs tough, survives Basilan

San Juan silenced the Basilan in the homestretch to book a 72-62 victory and move closer to the leaders of the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2025 Season on Monday at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.

Basilan threatened at 62-64 following a triple and a drive by Emman Calo with three minutes left, but San Juan tightened its defense and banked on two inside thrusts by Dexter Maiquez and one by Nikko Panganiban to notch its third straight win in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.

San Juan, bidding to reclaim the MPBL title it clinched in 2019, trails Nueva Ecija (5-0), Quezon (4-0) and Rizal (4-0) in the race to the playoffs.

Michael Calisaan shone for San Juan with 21 points, 13 rebounds and three steals to clinch the Best Player honors over Maiquez with 14 points, six rebounds and two assists, Reynel Hugnatan with two points and five rebounds, and Orlan Wamar with 10 points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals.

Basilan, which tumbled to 1-4 win-loss record, drew 12 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals from Calo, 10 points plus five rebounds from Gab Dagangon and nine points, three assists and two rebounds from veteran Alex Cabagnot.

Unable to hit from afar, sinking 3-of-21 triple tries, San Juan attacked the shaded lane where it made 42 points against Basilan’s 18 for the big difference.

Back-to-back layups by Jervy Cruz pushed Basilan to within 57-61, but Maiquez quelled the rally with a triple.

Batangas City Tanduay Rhum clawed back from a 12-point hole entering the fourth quarter to subdue Bataan, 70-65, in the second game.

With Cedrick Ablaza and Levi Hernandez leading the assault, the Rhum Masters unloaded 14 points against two for the Risers to seize control, 63-60, with 1:32 left en route to a 3-2 card.