San Juan displayed a balanced offense and subdued Pangasinan, 73-66, to share second spot in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2025 Season late Thursday at the FilOil Ecooil Centre in San Juan.
Only Michael Calisaan scored twin digits for San Juan with 11, but AC Soberano, Dexter Maiquez and Arvin Gamboa contributed nine points each while new recruit JC Cullar chipped in eight points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals in the Knights’ 15th win against one loss in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
The Knights, missing ailing gunner Orlan Wamar, caught up with the Abra Solid North Weavers and trailed the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards (16-0) in the chase for playoff spots.
On the other hand, Pangasinan fell to 10-6 despite Vic Manuel’s 18 points and six rebounds, Jorey Napoles’ 10 points and 12 rebounds, and Michael DiGregorio’s 11 points plus two rebounds.
Imus Braderhood mowed down depleted Bacolod, 86-68, behind Regie Boy Basibas in the second game to improve to 8-10.
Basibas notched 16 points, 19 rebounds and three assists as Imus foiled the repeated rallies of Bacolod.
Mark Doligon provided support with 13 points, six rebounds and six assists, and so did Ryusei Koga with 10 points, three rebounds and two assists.
The seven-man Bacolod rotation got 21 points from Mark Ray Dubouzet and 17 points from Aldave Canoy.
The Mindoro Tamaraws sustained their climb with a 103-72 crushing of the Bulacan Kuyas.
Powered by Wendelino Comboy and Hanz Philip Maycong and Axel Iñigo, the Tamaraws secured their fourth straight win and improved to 11-8.
Comboy posted 20 points, three assists, two rebounds and two blocks; Maycong 14 points and two rebounds, and Iñigo 13 points, 11 rebounds and two assists as Mindoro pulled down Bulacan to 2-16.
Other Tamaraws who delivered for coach Bengie Teodoro and team owner Mayor Jennifer “Ina Alegre” Cruz were Jeco Bancaje with 10 points, five assists and two rebounds, and RJ Ramirez with seven points and two rebounds.
With Comboy sinking 6 of 9 triple tries, the Tamaraws converted 14 of 34 against only 8 of 33 for the Kuyas, who were further hampered by their 6 of 17 free throw performance.
The Tamaraws controlled the boards, 51-39, paving the way for a decisive 43-16 edge on fastbreak points.