Batangas, Biñan shine in playoff opener

Batangas City pounded the boards and fortified its defense to subdue Zamboanga, 70-61, in the Manny Pacquiao Presents Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2025 Season quarterfinal playoffs at the Batangas City Coliseum late Thursday.

Clogging the shaded lane, the Rum Masters posted a 57-34 edge in rebounds that resulted in a decisive 34 points in the paint against only 10 for the Zamboangueños.

Cedric Ablaza, Levi Hernandez and Mark Niel Cruz took charge of the offense as Batangas surged ahead, 67-55, and moved within a win of advancing to the semifinal round in the South Division of the tournament that started with 30 teams.

Ablaza tallied 16 points, seven rebounds and two steals, Hernandez 15 points plus six rebounds and Cruz 12 points plus four rebounds for Batangas, which got 12 and nine rebounds from Jeckster Apinan and Vincent Importante, respectively.

Joshua Torralba, playing his first game for Batangas, contributed nine points, two rebounds and two steals, followed by Dawn Ochea with six points, six rebounds and three assists.

Only Reggz Gabat struck back for Zamboanga with 12 points, five rebounds and two blocks, as chief gunner Abdul Sawat was held to four points, seven rebounds and four assists, JP Cauilan six points and four rebounds, and James Paul Una three points, three rebounds and three steals.

Biñan Tatak Gel silenced Rizal Xentromall in the homestretch and won, 77-68, in Game One of their own South quarterfinal series.

With the Rizal Golden Coolers threatening at 68-70, the Lagunenses pulled off a closing seven-point run to move within a win of advancing to the semifinal round.

Carlo Lastimosa, Kenny Roger Rocacurva, Pamboy Raymundo and Jaymar Gimpayan shone for Biñan, which controlled the game for 36 minutes and 51 seconds, leading by as many as 43-29, before Rizal rallied behind Eric Camson and Alwyn Alday in the fourth quarter.

Lastimosa finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, Rocacurva with 12 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals, Raymundo with 11 points and three rebounds, and Gimpayan with 10 points plus seven rebounds.