Muntinlupa clobbered Manila, 112-89, to sustain its recovery in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2025 Season at the Olivarez College Gym in Parañaque late Thursday.
Spearheaded by JR Raflores, the Cagers were in control throughout, leading by as far as 82-43 in posting their sixth win against one loss in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
Raflores, a former Mapua Cardinal, posted 23 points and three rebounds to earn Best Player honors over Marj de Leon, who notched 14 points, six rebounds and two assists for Muntinlupa, which yielded to Bataan, 77-76, on 23 April but rebounded against Valenzuela, 72-63, on 28 April.
John Winfred Gob supported them with 12 points, two assists, two blocks and 12 rebounds that gave the Cagers a 58-44 edge underneath; followed by Kurt Lojera with 13 points, three rebounds and three assists, and Patrick Ramos and Dom Matillano with 10 points each.
The Batang Quiapo tasted their eighth straight defeat after an initial win despite John Ashley Faa’s 23 points, eight assists, five rebounds and five steals, and Algin Anfaya’s 22 points, 13 rebounds and two assists.
The Parañaque Patriots finally snapped their three-game slide with a 69-54 conquest of Cebu Classic in the nightcap.
With Jayboy Solis chalking 21 points, 10 rebounds and three assists and Lander Canon contributing 14 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks, Parañaque decided the outcome halfway through the fourth quarter, 65-44.
Parañaque prevailed underneath, 58-45, and converted this edge to more second chance points, 20-9.