Defending champion Quezon Province and Biñan Tatak Gel clash for the South Division crown of the 747. LIVE presents Manny Paquiao Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2025 Season on Saturday at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
Biñan weathered Quezon’s final assault to win Game 4, 57-53, on Wednesday and level their best-of-five series at 2-2, necessitating the Game 5 decider at 6:30 p.m.
The Huskers, according to team manager Atty. Donn Kapunan will be saddled by the absence of top gunner Judel Fuentes, who hurt his left ankle after sinking a jumper and landing on the foot of Pamboy Raymundo early in the third quarter.
Sans Fuentes, who averaged 14 points and five rebounds in the first three games, LJay Gonzales and Gab Banal must work doubly hard. At the same time, Ximone Sandagon, Joseph Gabayni and Will Gozum need to step up, especially in the rebounding department.
As point guard Diego Dario’s return remains uncertain due to an injury, the Huskers may have to depend on Mon Abundo and local icon Topeng Lagrama to man the backcourt.
Compounding the Huskers’ woes are their poor free throw shooting, sinking only 33 of 65 attempts or just a little over 50 percent.
Biñan will be powered by Kenny Roger Rocacurva, Carlo Lastimosa, Marc Pingris, Warren Bonifacio, Pamboy Raymundo and Jaymar Gimpayan in the Lagunenses quest for their first division title.
Quezon won Game 1, 57-55, and Game 3, 66-56, while Biñan stole Game 2, 68-65.
If the pattern in the first four games holds, the team ahead after the first quarter is likely to emerge as the South champion and clash with Abra, the North Division titlist, in the MPBL 7th Season National Finals starting 10 December.