The Quezon Huskers let loose new gunners and mowed down the Batangas City Tanduay Rhum Masters, 70-46, on Wednesday in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Batangas City Coliseum.
Diego Dario, recruited to be his extension on the court by Coach Eric Gonzales, fired 13 points, including two triples, on top of six rebounds and a steal to clinch best player honors for the Huskers, who showed that they are out to regain the South Division crown and challenge for the national title.
Judel Fuentes supported the 5-foot-8 former University of the Philippines star with nine points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists, followed by Ximone Sandagon with nine points and five rebounds, and Vince Magbuhos with eight points and five rebounds.
With JP Sarao, Gab Banal and Magbuhos nailing a triple each, the Huskers surged beyond reach, 68-41, sending the horde of Batangas fans to the exits.
The Rhum Masters, beaten by the Huskers in last season’s South finals, were thoroughly outplayed, with no one able to score in twin digits.
John Ambulodto’s nine points and five rebounds, Philip Paniamogan’s eight points and three rebounds, and Cedrick Ablaza six points and seven rebounds were the best Batangas could offer.
Earlier games saw General Santos City and Zamboanga Sikat trounce their respective opponents.
The Gensan Warriors banked on the hot hands of Val Acuna to subdue the Sarangani Grippers, 73-58, while Zamboanga Sikat rode on a closing first half spurt to trip Valenzuela Classics, 77-57.
Acuna drilled in seven triples en route to a game-high 21 points that sent the Grippers to their second straight defeat and the cellar of the 30-team field.
Mark Cruz also shone for Gensan, which sped to a 49-28 spread, with 12 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals, and so did Kyle Tolentino with 11 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Sarangani got 11 points, two rebounds and two assists from Adven Diputado, 10 points four rebounds and three assists from Junjie Hallare, nine points from Martin Gozum, and eight points plus nine rebounds from King Destacamento.