Pampanga averted a major collapse in the homestretch and salvaged a 60-57 victory over Biñan to stay close to the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2025 Season pacesetters on Wednesday at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

The reigning back-to-back titlists wasted a 56-39 spread early in the fourth quarter, allowing Tatak Gel to threaten at 57-58, and banked on Larry Muyang’s two free throws with 5.8 seconds left to tally its 12th win against four losses in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament

Basilan Starhorse blanked Parañaque in the last 2:14 while scoring 10 points to prevail, 76-65, and remain on course for a playoff berth.

Veteran Arwind Santos shone in Basilan’s seventh win against eight losses with 14 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals, and so did James Tempra with 14 points and nine rebounds, Emman Calo with 13 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and Gab Dagangon with 12 points and seven rebounds.

Basilan dominated the boards, 67-36, against Parañaque, which put up a tough fight midway through the fourth quarter, 62-64, using an eight-man rotation.

Parañaque, which skidded to 1-14, drew 16 points and four rebounds from homegrown Paolo Castro, 14 points and 12 rebounds from Allen Papa, and 12 points, two rebounds and two assists from Jasper Cuevas.

Muyang, whose layup against 18 points by Biñan in a span of 7:43 prevented a reversal, wound up with 14 points and 11 rebounds to earn the Best Player honors over Rence Alcoriza with 10 points and three rebounds.