Cowboys run wild, outgun Braderhood

Ilagan Isabela outgunned Imus Braderhood throughout and prevailed, 98-72, to fuel their drive in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2025 Season Friday at the Bataan People’s Center in Balanga, Bataan.

Prized acquisition Agem Miranda posted 17 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and three steals to earn his second straight Best Player honors and power the Cowboys to their first back-to-back win and a 9-8 record in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.

Joshua Ramirez supported Miranda with 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists; and so did Donald Gumaru with 15 points, all from triples, and two rebounds, Terrence Tumalip with 10 points and five rebounds, and fellow recruit Dennis Santos with 10 points.

Although the Cowboys shot poorly from the free throw line, making just one of nine attempts, they compensated by converting 13 of 34 three-pointers and handing out more assists, 34-16.

Imus stumbled to 8-11 despite Mark Doligon’s 33 points and five rebounds and Regie Boy Basibas’ 12 points and 11 rebounds.

The San Juan Knights turned hot in the fourth quarter and routed the Bulacan Kuyas, 97-75, in the opener to share second spot with the Abra Solid North Weavers.

Powered by Filipino-American Shean Jackson, San Juan poured 29 points in that span to extend its hot streak to seven and catch up with Abra at 16-1. They are assured of playoff berths like pacesetter Nueva Ecija (17-0).

The 6-foot-2 Jackson pumped in 14 of his 16 points in the final period, where the Knights pulled away, 84-61, with 5:25 to go.

Dexter Maiquez led San Juan, the 2019 MPBL champion, with 18 points and 13 rebounds, followed by Jackson, who also posted three assists and two rebounds, and Aldrech Ramos and Jose Manuel Sabandal with 11 points and four rebounds each.