Concepcion waxes hot, powersPampanga
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ARCHIE Concepcion makes his move, leading the Pampanga Giant Lanterns to a 74-71 win over the Rizal Xentromall Golden Coolers in the MPBL 2025 Season at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center on Tuesday.
Photograph courtesy of MPBL
Archie Concepcion bunched seven points in the homestretch to push Pampanga past Rizal, 74-71, and regain traction in Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2025 Season at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga on Tuesday.
The Golden Coolers were threatening at 65-68, when Concepcion struck, drilling in an alley-oop three-pointer, two free throws and a layup against two charities by Samboy de Leon to pad the Giant Lanterns’ lead to 72-67 with 1:42 left.
De Leon converted two more freebies, but Jeepy Faundo sealed Pampanga’s 11th win against four losses in the elimination round of the 30-team tournament with two free throws in the last 3.9 seconds.
Concepcion clinched Best Player honors with 22 points, laced by four triples, and three rebounds over Larry Muyang with 10 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks.
Raymond Binuya tallied eight points, four rebounds and five assists, Faundo six points, nine rebounds and three blocks, and Jhaymo Eguilos six points plus seven rebounds for Pampanga, which recovered from a 74-82 beating it suffered against Nueva Ecija at the same venue on 6 June.
Rizal fell to 9-6 despite De Leon’s 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals, and Eric Camson’s 18 points plus eight rebounds.
Earlier, Pasay Voyagers returned to orbit with an 81-66 thrashing of the Valenzuela City Magic.
Ruling the boards, 70-42, the Voyagers surged ahead by 20 points (39-19) and were never headed to recover from a two-game slide and improve to 9-7 in the race for playoff berths.
Cyrus Tabi presided over the Voyagers’ assault with 15 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals, followed by Felipe Chavez with 12 points, five rebounds and two assists, Jopet Soriano with 10 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, and Jasper Salenga with 10 points, three rebounds and four assists.
Valenzuela stumbled to 2-11 as only Jan Formento with 26 points, five assists and two rebounds, and JR Alabanza with 15 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals found their range.
