MANILA – Bulacan Kuyas pounced on the poor-shooting Bacolod Tubo Slashers to secure a 69-63 victory in the 2025 MPBL Season on Tuesday night at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Joseph Celso finished with a career-high of 20 points to go with 14 rebounds and two blocks to be named Player of the Game as the Kuyas notched their second win in 16 games.
“Trinabaho talaga namin itong panalo na ito. Sa practice, talagang go hard kami kasi gusto talaga naming manalo this game,” Celso said after the win. “Gusto pa po namin na manalo pa po at maipakita ‘yung talent ng team namin.”
Ilonggo John Rey Sumido top-scored for the Kuyas with 22 points, including four three-pointers, to go with five rebounds, while Joseph Marquez delivered seven points and four rebounds.
The Kuyas were able to rely on their outside shooting, converting eight of 17 attempts, to subdue the Tubo Slashers, who only managed to make four of their 22 three-point tries.
Mark Rey Dubouzet top-scored for Tubo Slashers with 15 points to go with three assists and two rebounds, Chester Saldua chipped in 14 markers, while Jaycee Sam Adjei had a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. They dropped to a 2-11 record.
Meanwhile, Cyrus Tabi scored 15 points to go with six rebounds and four assists to be named Player of the Game as Pasay Voyagers (9-7) defeated Valenzuela City Magic (4-12), 81-66.
Defending champions Pampanga Giant Lanterns (11-4), on the other hand, outdueled Rizal XentroMall Golden Coolers (9-6), 74-71. Archie Concepcion led the way for Pampanga with 22 markers./PN
BOX SCORE:
BULACAN 69 – Sumido 22, Celso 20, Marquez 7, Jumao-as 6, Bulawan 6, Umpad 4, Espiritu 3, Osicos 1, Gonzaga 0, Ibe 0, Serrano 0.
BACOLOD 63 – Dubouzet 15, Saldua 14, Adjei 10, Movida 8, Pastias 7, Canal 6, Soriano 2, Aquino 1, Sobrevega 0, Intia 0.
Quarterscores: 8-6, 28-23, 47-42, 69-63.
