Huskers catch fire, torch Tigers

Quezon Province found its mark afar and battered Davao Occidental, 91-60, to remain in sight of the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2025 Season pacesetters at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on Thursday.

Former Most Valuable Player Gab Banal rediscovered his shooting touch while Vince Magbuhos went perfect from the three-point zone as the Huskers tallied their fifth straight win and climbed to 15-3 in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.

The Huskers pace the South Division, which they topped last year, and trail North Division leaders and sure playoff qualifiers Nueva Ecija (18-0), Abra (17-1) and San Juan (16-1).

Banal converted 6-of-7 triple tries while Magbuhos, a Filipino-Italian out of Adamson University, drilled in 4-of-4 for the Huskers, who made 18-of-30 triple tries for an impressive 60 percent conversion.

Judel Fuentes joined the sniping party by hitting 3-of-5, Emman Tagle 2-of-3, and Christian Pagaran and Joshua Yerro sinking their lone attempts.

Banal posted 18 points, two rebounds and two assists, Fuentes 13 points, two rebounds and two assists, Vince Magbuhos 12 points and Tagle 10.

The Tigers led briefly at 30-27, before Banal turned hot with three triples and Rodel Gravera dunked in an 11-point salvo that pushed Quezon ahead, 38-30, for good.

The Pasay Voyagers, powered by acquisition Christian Fajarito, led throughout in an 81-64 demolition of Imus Braderhood in the nightcap.