MANILA – Basilan Starhorse Viva Portmasters cruised to a dominant 117-84 victory over Manila Batang Quiapo in the 2025 MPBL Season on Monday night at the Bataan People’s Center in Balanga, Bataan.
Emman Calo finished with a triple-double of 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists to go with two steals to be named Player of the Game as the Viva Portmasters improved to a 9-9 win-loss slate.
“Binigyan lang kami ng kumpiyansa ng coaches kaya maganda ‘yung itinakbo ng laro namin,” Calo said in a post-game interview. “Sabi ng coaches na pasahan ko lang mga teammates ko kaya naka-triple–double ako.”
Michael Alvarez added 20 markers, Jason Grimaldo and Gab Dagangon contributed 16 markers apiece, while James Pasturan ended with 10 points for the Viva Portmasters.
Gregory Slaughter, who was supposed to make his Basilan debut in the game, was not inserted in the active roster by head coach Rich Alvarez for the expected lopsided win.
Alfred Sedillo led Batang Quiapo with 29 points, Stephen Torralba added 21 markers, while John Derico Lopez and Alexis Himan had 12 and 11 points, respectively, as they fell to a 2-17 record.
Meanwhile, Bulacan Kuyas stunned Caloocan Batang Kankaloo, 85-83, securing their third win against 17 losses in the 30-team tournament.
Homegrown Airohn Acop poured 11 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter to clinch best player, Marlon Monte, who wound up with 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, for Bulacan.
Acop, the 5-foot-11 local icon of San Ildefonso, Bulacan, added five rebounds, five assists and two steals as the Kuyas snapped a three-game slide.
Other Kuyas who delivered were Ilonggo Jhon Rey Sumido with 18 points and three rebounds, and Joseph Celso with eight points plus seven rebounds./PN
BOX SCORE:
BASILAN 117 — Calo 22, Alvarez 20, Dagangon 16, Grimaldo 16, Pasturan 10, Mahari 7, Ad. Santos 6, Cruz 5, Barasi 5, Tempra 4, Navarro 2, Reyes 2, Caduyac 2, Joson 0.
MANILA 84 — Sedillo 29, Torralba 21, Lopez 12, Himan 11, Iñigo 5, Soriano 4, Ambrosio 2, Samonte 0, Gomez de Liaño 0, Baltazar 0, Battaller 0, Ancheta 0, Alvarez 0, Cielo 0.
Quarterscores: 27-10, 57-30, 85-46, 117-84.
