MANILA – Valenzuela City Magic converted timely baskets in the endgame to defeat Bacolod City Tubo Slashers, 86-82, in the 2025 MPBL Season on Monday night at the Paco Arena in Manila City.
With the score tied at 82-all following a conversion by Bacolod City’s PJ Intia with 15 seconds left, Valenzuela City broke the deadlock with an inside conversion from Negrense Jan Formento.
After a missed shot attempt by the Tubo Slashers, Kyle Neypes knocked down two free throws to increase the advantage to 86-82 with just a second remaining in the game.
Formento finished with a game-high of 24 points, including four three-pointers, to go with four assists, three rebounds, and a steal as the Magic improved to a 4-10 win-loss slate.
Neypes added 14 markers, seven rebounds, and three assists, while Kobe Monje contributed 10 points and nine rebounds for Valenzuela City.
Valenzuela City set the tone early as the led by as many as 12 points before Bacolod City countered with their own run to establish their own 10-point edge in the third quarter.
The Magic managed to tie the score at 63-all entering the fourth quarter before they turned the game into a seesaw battle and escaped with a four-point victory.
Chester Saldua top-scored for Bacolod City with 20 points, Jaycee Adjei added 17 points and nine rebounds, while Miles Cañal contributed 10 points as they fell to a 2-10 record./PN
