Rojas powers Zamboanga past Marikina

Zamboanga SiKat leaned on John Edcel Rojas’ clutch points to nip Marikina, 75-74, and stayed close to the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2025 Season pacesetters at the WES Arena in Valenzuela on Wednesday.

Rojas made a follow-up to knot the count, then converted his second free throw with 2.6 seconds left to lift Zamboanga to its fourth win against one loss in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.

Zamboanga gained on Nueva Ecija and Rizal Xentromall, both 5-0, Quezon Province (4-0) and San Juan (3-0), caught up with Pangasinan and Abra, and moved ahead of reigning back-to-back champion Pampanga and Caloocan, both 3-1, in the race for playoff berths.

The 6-foot-2 Rojas, formerly of St. Clare College, wound up with 13 points and five rebounds to complement Abdul Sawat’s dominant 17-point, 15-rebound, five-assist performance and JP Cauilan’s 13-point, nine-rebound, three-assist output.

Marikina suffered its sixth straight defeat despite Nem dela Cruz’s 24-point, four-assist, three-steal effort and Julius Tiburcio’s 10 points, four rebounds, three blocks and two assists.