General Santos repelled Rizal’s final rally and prevailed, 96-89, in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2025 Season on Tuesday at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.

With the Golden Coolers erasing a 16-point deficit and closing in twice, 79-84, and 86-90, the Warriors got the boost from Val Acuna, Joel Lee Yu and Nico Elorde to tally their eighth victory against six losses in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.

Biñan Tatak Gel followed suit with a 92-73 drubbing of Parañaque in the nightcap.

Powered by Jaymar Gimpayan’s 17 points and 16 rebounds and 11 points each from Ryan Isaac Sual and Kenny Roger Rocacurva, the Lagunenses led as far as 63-40 before cruising to a 9-3 slate.

Pamboy Raymundo provided support with nine points, five rebounds and five assists, and so did Joseph Peñaredondo with nine points, three rebounds and three assists.

Parañaque absorbed its eighth straight defeat and is already near the cellar at 1-11 as only James Mangahas and Kevin Buenaflor hit the target with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Acuna drilled in three of his six triples in the fourth quarter and finished with 21 points to clinch the Best Player honors over Elorde, who posted 16 points, five rebounds and five assists and Yu, who notched 10 points and three assists.