Reigning back-to-back champion Pampanga met stiff resistance from a retooled Cebu side before prevailing, 69-66, in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2025 Season at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando City on Tuesday.

The Greats threatened, 66-68, before Paul Desiderio missed a probable go-ahead three-pointer, allowing John Lloyd Clemente to secure the Giant Lanterns’ 13th win in 17 starts by sinking the first of two free throws with 2.5 seconds left.

New acquisition Allen Mina led Pampanga with 14 points and seven rebounds, followed by Larry Muyang with 13 points and nine rebounds.

Pampanga, which missed top gunner Archie Concepcion, also banked on Clemente with nine points, nine rebounds and seven assists, Jhaymo Eguilos with seven points, 10 rebounds and two assists, and new recruit John Ashley Faa with five points, four assists and three rebounds, to stay close to pacesetters Nueva Ecija (16-0), Abra (15-1), San Juan (14-1), Zamboanga (14-3) and Quezon Province (13-4).

Although Cebu absorbed its sixth straight defeat and tumbled to 4-13, the Greats, under new coach Junthy Valenzuela, showed newfound strength behind homegrown additions Jun Manzo, Desiderio, JR Quinahan and Reeve Ugsang.

Manzo wound up with 20 points, five rebounds and six assists; Desiderio with six points, seven rebounds and two assists; Quinahan with six points and three rebounds; and Ugsang with two points and three rebounds.

Cebu also got 11 points, three rebounds and three assists from Jan Jamon, eight points and two assists from Brylle Ivan Meca, and seven points, seven rebounds and five assists from Lean Vincent Martel.