MANILA – Basilan Viva Portmasters started hot and kept the heat throughout to rout Cebu Classic, 87-55, in the 2025 MPBL Season at the Paco Arena in Manila City.
Emman Calo spearheaded the offense with 11 markers to go with four assists and two steals to be named Player of the Game as the Viva Portmasters secured its second consecutive win for a 5-7 win-loss slate.
“Sobrang saya sa panalo at sa Best Player (recognition) pero hindi ko naman magagawa ito kung wala ‘yung teammates ko at sa tiwala ng mga coaches,” Calo said after the game.
“Siguro kailangan namin maging consistent sa depensa namin. Ibigay lang namin ‘yung best namin every game, just one game at a time, aangat at aangat din kami,” he added.
Sherwin Concepcion added 11 points, four rebounds and three steals, Adrian Santos chipped in 10 markers, while Gabriel Dagangon and Lorenzo Joson contributed nine points each for Basilan.
Thriving with an 11-man rotation, the Viva Portmasters opened up a 27-12 advantage after the opening quarter before padding the lead to as high as 20 points the rest of the way.
Mark Meneses finished with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, Limuel Tampus added 12 points and eight boards, while Ladis Lepalam ended with nine points and seven rebounds.
The Classics, which dropped to a 4-9 win-loss slate in the standings, suited up with only eight players in the contest as they are reportedly facing financial problems in terms of their players.
Meanwhile, Bacolod Tubo Slashers (2-9) continued their slump as they suffered a 76-63 defeat to Mindoro Tamaraws (7-7). Joseph Sedurifa led Mindoro with 24 points and five rebounds./PN
