Caloocan, Cebu post contrasting triumphs

Caloocan and Cebu took different routes toward victories in Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2025 Season at the Paco Arena in Manila late Monday.

The Batang Kankaloo rallied to nip the Rizal Xentromall Golden Coolers, 76-75, in the nightcap, while the Classic controlled the second half to beat Quezon City, 69-54, in the second game of another tripleheader in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.

The Bacolod Tubo Slashers snapped a prolonged slump with a 70-69 squeaker over the Marikina Shoemasters in the opener.

Caloocan silenced Rizal in the last 1:40 while coming through with seven points, five by Joco Tayongtong, to tally its fifth win against two losses, tying its victim, Pasay and Zamboanga SiKat in the race for playoff spots.

Nueva Ecija paces the field with a 7-0 slate, followed by San Juan (5-0), Muntinlupa (4-0) and Pasig (2-0). Bunched at 5-1 were reigning back-to-back titlist Pampanga, Quezon Province, Abra and Pangasinan.

Eric Camson capped his nine-point binge with a triple that pushed Rizal ahead, 75-69, but wasted his efforts when he bungled an open layup from under before the final buzzer.

Tayongtong wound up with 18 points, six rebounds and four assists, Jeff Manday with 11 points and five rebounds, Paul Sanga with nine points plus three rebounds, and Antonio Bonsubre with five points plus 11 rebounds.

Rizal drew 23 points and two rebounds from Alwyn Alday, including eight straight that gave the Golden Coolers a 62-55 lead, 17 points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks from Camson, and eight points from Eric Joseph Pili.

Cebu, powered by Jan Jamon, built a 61-42 spread midway through the final quarter before cruising to its third win against four losses.

Jamon finished with 18 points and clinched Best Player honors over Dennis Santos with 10 points and seven rebounds, Ladis Lepalam with nine points and eight rebounds, and Paolo Hubalde with six points, seven rebounds and four assists.