MANILA – Basilan Viva Portmasters nailed its biggest win in the 2025 MPBL Season, stunning Caloocan Batang Kankaloo, 92-82, on Wednesday night at the Orion Sports Complex in Bataan.
Sherwin Concepcion posted a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds to go with five assists and a block to be named Player of the Game as the Viva Portmasters improved to a 3-5 win-loss slate.
“Ayaw ko lang na masira ‘yung tiwala na ibinibigay sa akin ng coaches. Naka-seven games na kami and wala pa akong naipapakita kaya gusto ko lang din makatulong sa teammates ko,” Concepcion said in a post-game interview.
“Itong panalo na ito sana madala pa namin sa next games namin. Sinasabi nga ng mga coaches namin na dapat keep improving kami at dapat may natutunan kami sa bawat practices namin,” added the former University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers guard.
Emman Calo added 21 markers, including four three-point conversions, Alex Cabagnot finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Adrian Santos and James Pasturan contributed 13 and 10 points, respectively, for Basilan.
Chris Bitoon top-scored for the Batang Kankaloo with 13 points, while Jeffrey Manday and Jan Manlangit added 12 and 10 points, respectively, as they dropped to a 5-3 win-loss card.
Meanwhile, Yves Sazon knocked down a go-ahead three-pointer as 1Bataan Risers (3-5) escaped with a 77-76 overtime win against the erstwhile undefeated Muntinlupa Cagers (4-1).
Down 72-76 after a three-pointer by Cagers’ Marvin Hayes, the Risers got a split free throw from Jon Capulong and a three-pointer from Sazon to take the lead with a second left.
Sazon finished the game with 11 points, including two triples, Robbie Darang top-scored for the Risers with 20 points to go with eight assists, and Dominick Vera contributed 14 markers in the win.
Defending champions Pampanga Giant Lanterns (6-1) escaped with a 94-90 victory over Mindoro Tamaraws (3-6). Archie Concepcion top-scored for Pampanga with 31 points./PN
BOX SCORE:
BASILAN 92 – Concepcion 22, Calo 21, Cabagnot 20, Santos 13, Pasturan 10, Caduyac 2, Dagangon 2, Grimaldo 2, Navarro 0, Larupay 0, Mahari 0.
CALOOCAN 82 – Bitoon 13, Manday 12, Manlangit 10, Matias 9, Espinas 8, Sanga 6, Flores 6, Tayongtong 6, Gonzales 5, Baetiong 3, Bonsubre 3, Torrado 1, Ingles 0, Laude 0, Enriquez 0.
Quaterscores: 18-24, 43-46, 71-57,92-82.
