Quezon started hot and sustained the fire throughout to trounce the Biñan Tatak Gel, 79-64, and gain a share of the lead in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City late Saturday.
Joseph Gabayni scored six points as the Huskers zoomed ahead, 13-0, and proceeded to notch their third straight victory, joining defending champion Pampanga and retooled Rizal on the top of the 30-team field.
With Alfrancis Tamsi, Judel Fuentes and Diego Dario joining the onslaught, the Huskers led by as far as 57-34, signifying their bid to regain the North Division crown and challenge again for the national title.
Tamsi finished with 16 points, three rebounds and two assists while Fuentes posted 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals to clinch Best Player honors. Diego Dario also delivered for Quezon with 13 points, four assists and two rebounds.
The Huskers, however, may miss top gunner LJ Gonzales in their next game after he hurt his left ankle after making a triple and playing only for 31 seconds.
Biñan skidded to 1-3 as only Pamboy Raymundo with 12 points, three rebounds and three steals, and Carlo Lastimosa with 11 points and two steals struck back.
Pangasinan banked on Michael Mabulac’s short stab with a second left to nip Ilagan Isabela, 96-94, earlier.
The Pangasinan Heatwaves raised their record to 3-1 after erasing an 82-90 deficit brought about by the Cowboys’ 15-point binge.
Still behind, 87-92, with 1:07 left, the Heatwaves scored nine points and held the Cowboys to just two to turn the game around.
Mabulac wound up with 23 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals to clinch Best Player honors. Hesed Gabo supported him with 15 points, six assists, two rebounds and two steals, followed by Vic Manuel with 13 points, four rebounds and two steals, Joshua Fontanilla with 11 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals, and Pedrito Galanza with 11 points, two rebounds and two steals.