Hernandez delivers, saves Batangas

Levi Hernandez cut loose and drove in with 1.1 seconds left to lift Batangas City past Pampanga, 65-64, in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball Leagie (MPBL) 2025 Season on Tuesday at the Batangas City Coliseum.

Hernandez got the ball from Ced Ablaza on a well-executed drawn-up play that reversed the outcome after Archie Concepcion gave Pampanga back the lead with a one-handed floater from the corner.

The Rum Masters, the 2018 MPBL inaugural champions, extended their hot streak to five and climbed to 12-7 in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.

The Giant Lanterns, the reigning back-to-back titlists, saw their four-game run broken and dropped to 14-5 in the chase for playoff berths

Compiling 26 points, including four triples and six rebounds, Hernandez clinched Best Player honors as he proved to be the biggest thorn for the Giant Lanterns, who led by as many as 27-12.

Ablaza supported with 13 points, five rebounds and three assists followed by homegrown MJ Dela Virgen with nine points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Pampanga got 13 points, seven rebounds and two steals from Jhan Nermal, 11 points and five rebounds from Concepcion, eight points, 11 rebounds and three assists from Larry Muyang, and nine points, eight rebounds and two assists from Jhaymo Eguilos, a stalwart of Batangas’ champion team.

Sarangani, powered by returnee Jeff Viernes and acquisition Migs Pascual, routed Marikina, 96-83, earlier.