MANILA – Basilan Starhorse Viva Port Masters halted a two-game slide to score an 82-63 victory over Davao Occidental Tigers in the 2025 MPBL Season on Thursday night at the Ynares Center Montalban in Rizal Province.
Alex Cabagnot had a near triple-double performance of 10 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists to go with four steals to be named Player of the Game as the Viva Port Masters improved to an 11-11 record.
Cabagnot also stepped up offensively in the fourth quarter, where he connected seven of his points total, helping the Viva Port Masters turn a slim 60-57 advantage to a blowout.
“We just stuck to coaches’ strategy, we believe in each other and we have faith in each other. Everything is possible with the grace of the Lord,” Cabagnot said in a post-game interview.
“We’re gonna watch the film (of the game) so that we are 100 percent correct of our positioning and pattern inside the court for our next game,” added the former San Miguel Beermen star guard.
Gab Dagangon top-scored for the Viva Port Masters with 19 points, while also converting his 1,000th point in the league, to go with eight rebounds, while Emman Calo added 13 markers.
Wowie Escosio finished with a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Reymart Escobido and Jansher Salubre had 12 and 10, respectively, as the Tigers dropped to an 8-14 mark.
Meanwhile, Bataan Risers bared their sharpest form yet and battered Manila Batang Quiapo, 144-82, to remain in contention for a playoff slot.
Yves Sazon paced the Risers with 21 points, Dante Paguio added 18 points, Mitchelle Maynes finished with 17 points, three rebounds and two steals, and Carl Bringas with 14 points and four rebounds.
Robbi Marion Darang, Lorenz Capulong and Hubert Cani contributed 10 points for the Risers, which secured ninth win against 14 losses./PN
BOX SCORE:
BASILAN 82 — Dagangon 19, Calo 13, Cabagnot 10, Caduyac 8, Cruz 7, Ad. Santos 6, Joson 6, Ar. Santos 4, Tempra 4, Pasturan 3, Concepcion 2, Larupay 0, Navarro 0.
DAVAO 63 — Escosio 13, Escobido 12, Salubre 10, Comia 8, Terso 8, Peromingan 4, Valin 4, Alano 3, Bonleon 1, Tagala 0.
Quarterscores: 30-14, 44-37, 59-53, 82-63.
