MANILA – Basilan Viva Portmasters escaped a late run by GenSan Warriors for a tight 75-72 victory in the 2025 MPBL Season at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.
Holding to a slim 69-65 lead on Wednesday night, the Portmasters got consecutive baskets from Antonio Lorenzo Joson and Jervy Cruz, but it was quickly negated by conversions from Kyle Tolentino and Hezy Val Acuna to cut the deficit to 72-74.
The Viva Portmasters managed to increase their lead to 75-72 on a split free throw by Reymar Caduyac with 18 seconds left before Warriors’ Anton Bringas missed his three-point attempt at the buzzer.
Adrian Santos finished with a career-high of 20 points, on an efficient 9-of-11 field goal shooting, to go with three rebounds and one steal as the Viva Portmasters improved to a 4-7 win-loss slate.
“Tulong-tulong kami (sa laro) at tsaka usap-usap talaga kaming mga players para makuha na namin ‘yung panalo na ito,” Santos said during his Player of the Game interview.
“Kailangan na naming manalo kasi hindi naman puwede na nasa ilalim kami, kaya nagdo-double effort talaga kami sa practice at binibigay namin ‘yung best namin sa laro,” he added.
Sherwin Concepcion added 12 points, including two three-pointers, to go with four rebounds, one assist, and a steal, while Cruz contributed 10 points and four boards for Basilan.
Acuna top-scored for the Warriors with 23 points, including six three-point conversions, while Marwin Dionisio and Tolentino added 12 and 10 points, respectively, as they fell to a 6-6 win-loss card.
Meanwhile, Muntinlupa Cagers Lakan (9-2) turned back repeated rallies from Davao Occidental Tigers (3-5) to pull off an 89-80 victory. John Cantimbuhan Jr. led Muntinlupa with 26 points./PN
BOX SCORE:
BASILAN 75 – Ad. Santos 20, Concepcion 12, Cruz 10, Tempra 8, Dagangon 7, Joson 7, Calo 4, Cabagnot 4, Caduyac 3, Pasturan 0, Mahari 0.
GENSAN 72 – Acuna 23, Dionisio 12, Tolentino 10, Bringas 8, Elorde 4, Rodriguez 4, Lee Yu 4, Tan 4, Masaglang 3, Apreku 0, Evangelista 0, Jeruta 0, Cosari 0.
Quarterscores: 22-11, 37-30, 58-46, 75-72.
