Tatak Gel shock Huskers, knot series

Biñan quelled Quezon Province’s fiery rally to tally a 68-65 victory and level the Manny Pacquiao Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2025 Season South Division Finals at the Lucena Convention Center.

The Tatak Gel were ahead by 14 points heading to the last four minutes, but the Huskers clustered 12, capped by back-to-back triples by Judel Fuentes and Ljay Gonzales, and threatened, 62-64, with 46.5 seconds left.

Carlo Lastimosa, however, scored on a shot stab, Marc Pingris made his second free throw, and Lastimosa connected on his first charity to negate Gozum’s closing triple with 17.7 seconds to go.

Lastimosa posted 21 points and six rebounds to clinch the Best Player honors, followed by Kenny Roger Rocacurva with 10 points and eight rebounds, and Pingris with 10 points and eight rebounds.

Bam Lopez chipped in seven points and two assists, and Warren Bonifacio five points and three rebounds for Binan, a first-timer in the division finals.

Quezon, the reigning South champion, drew 22 points from Fuentes, 12 from Gonzales, who issued 12 assists, and 10 from Will Gozum.

Quezon won Game 1, 57-55. Biñan hosts Game 3 at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Alonte Sports Arena.