Hot Zamboanga shocks Pampanga

Zamboanga stunned reigning back-to-back champion Pampanga, 76-63, to prove it’s a legitimate contender in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2025 Season at the Caloocan Sports Complex.

The Zamboangueños bunched 10 points to break away at 59-42 in the third quarter, then clustered nine in the fourth to seal their sixth straight win and 11-2 record in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.

Pampanga committed 21 turnovers that netted 11 points for Zamboanga, which trails only Nueva Ecija (11-0), Abra (11-1) and San Juan (10-1) in the race for playoff slots.

Reggz Gabat, a six-foot guard out of San Sebastian College, posted 20 points, five rebounds and two steals to earn the Best Player honors for Zamboanga, which drew 12 points, seven rebounds, five steals and two blocks from James Paul Una and 12 points, three assists and two rebounds from JP Cauilan.

Michael Are also shone for Zamboanga with nine points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals, and Achie Altamirano with nine points, five rebounds, four steals and two assists.

Pampanga, which suffered its first back-to-back losses in the last three years, dropped to 9-3 as Archie Concepcion struggled to post 14 points and three rebounds, followed by Donald Gumaru with 13 points, three rebounds and three assists.

The Abra Weavers trounced the Paranaque Patriots, 97-81, in the opener to extend their win streak to nine.

Dave Ildefonso showed why he’s Abra’s top gun with 31 points, spiked by six triples, five rebounds and four assists, followed by Yousef Taha with 13 points and 11 rebounds, Encho Serrano with 13 points and four rebounds, and Raven Gonzales with nine points and 10 rebounds.

With Gonzales and Taha, both 6-foot-7, dominating the shaded lane, the Weavers ruled the boards, 63-31, and translated this to 21 second-chance points against the Patriots’ eight.