Quezon Province had a smooth ride, while Batangas and Basilan experienced some bumps on their way to victories in Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2025 Season on Wednesday at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.
The Huskers battered the Parañaque Patriots, 96-68, in the second game and climbed to fifth spot in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament with a 13-3 record.
Quezon, the reigning South Division champion, trails unbeaten Nueva Ecija (16-0), Abra (15-1), San Juan (14-1) and Zamboanga (14-3) in the chase for playoff berths.
Meanwhile, the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters sustained their recovery with a 74-68 tripping of Biñan Tatak Gel in the nightcap following Basilan Starhorse’s 84-70 conquest of Bataan in the opener.
Basilan banked on Arwind Santos and Emman Calo in the fourth quarter to level its slate at 8-8 and pull Bataan to 6-12 win-loss record.
Batangas, powered by Levi Hernandez’s 21 points and Jong Baloria’s 12 markers, notched its third straight win and improved to 10-7.
Mark Niel Cruz provided support with 11 and 10 points, respectively, for Batangas, which led 72-63 at the most.
Biñan, which absorbed its third straight defeat and dropped to 9-7, drew 13 points from Kenney Roger Rocacurva; 10 points and eight rebounds from Marc Pingris; and 10 points and six rebounds from Michael Maestre.
Gearing up in the second half, the Huskers employed their full 15-man roster, headed by LJ Gonzales and Ximone Sandagon.
Gonzales posted 19 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Sandagon tallied 14 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks as the Huskers led as far as 96-65.