Basilan hangs tough, stuns Pampanga

Basilan leaned on the free throw accuracy of Enzo Navarro in the last minute to stun Pampanga, 89-82, in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2025 Season at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Tuesday.

Navarro canned eight charities in that span as the Portmasters quashed the Giant Lanterns’ final rally and raised their record to 10-9 in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.

Basilan’s show of force overshadowed Nueva Ecija’s 94-78 drubbing of Bataan earlier that gave the Rice Vanguards a 19-1 slate and a share of the lead with the San Juan Knights and the Abra Solid North Weavers.

Basilan’s Jervy Cruz delivered 19 points, 12 rebounds and three assists to clinch the Best Player honors over Emman Calo, with 22 points, five assists, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks, and Navarro, who finished with 14 points, highlighted by a perfect 9-of-9 from the stripe, eight assists and two rebounds.

Enzo Joson also shone with 12 points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists for the Portmasters, who converted 19 of 22 free throws for an impressive 86.4 percent, against the Giant Lanterns, who sank only 21 of 40 attempts for a mediocre 52.5 percent.

Pampanga, the reigning back-to-back champion, dropped to 15-6 despite ruling the boards, 61-33.

Larry Muyang grabbed 22 rebounds on top of 17 points and 2 steals for the Giant Lanterns, who made only 27 of 76 field goal attempts for 35 percent.

Pampanga also drew 17 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals from John Lloyd Clemente and 11 points plus four rebounds from Jhan Mchale Nermal.