
MANILA – Gensan Warriors leaned on a balanced attack to overpower Bacolod Tubo Slashers, 104-71, in the 2025 MPBL Season over the weekend at Paco Arena in Manila City.
With six players scoring in double figures, the Warriors improved to 14-9 to stay right behind the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters in the race for playoff spots in the South Division of the 30-team, two-division tournament.
Mark Cruz spearheaded the charge with 23 points and six rebounds, while Felix Apreku posted a double-double of 10 points and a game-high 24 rebounds along with four assists and two steals.
Nico Elorde added 13 points and seven assists, Jeemwell Cosip and Chris Masaglang chipped in 12 points apiece, and Rene Pacquiao contributed 10 markers for the Warriors.
Pacquiao, however, lasted for only two quarter for Gensan after being slapped with a disqualifying foul for elbowing the back of the head of Bacolod’s Miles Canal in the second quarter.
Rene, cousin of MPBL founder and eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, became the second Gensan player in less than a week to be thrown out of a game after Michole Sorela was slapped with a lifetime ban.
The Tubo Slashers, meanwhile, dropped to 3-20 win-loss card despite the efforts of Mart James Barrera, who tallied 21 points, and Mark Ray Dubouzet, who finished with 20.
Meanwhile, defending champikns Pampanga Giant Lanterns trounced the Quezon City Galeries Taipans, 90-73, in the nightcap to raise their record to 16-7 and share fourth spot with Caloocan Batang Kankaloo in the North Division.
The 6-foot-6 Larry Muyang posted 20 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists to edge the 6-foot-6 Jhaymo Eguilos, who notched 12 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists for best player honors.
Quezon City, which slid to 6-17, drew 16 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals from Negrense guard Jayson Puray and 11 points each from Nino Ibanez and Vincent Cunanan./PN