MANILA – Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters leaned on a record-setting performance by Philip Paniamogan to score a 131-65 rout against Cebu Classic in the 2025 MPBL Season on Thursday night at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City.
The former NLEX Road Warriors guard converted a league-record 15 triples to end up with 46 points along with five rebounds and five assists as the Rum Masters improved to an 8-7 win-loss slate.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa teammates ko dahil sinet-up nila ako ng sinet up (sa three-point area), kaya sige lang ako. Kapag shumoot, e di okay,” Paniamogan said in a post-game interview.
“Patience lang. Basta ako ready lang ako every game, whether gamitin man ako ng coaches o hindi, professional lang ako,” added Paniamogan, who broke the previous MPBL three-point record of San Juan Knights-Go for Gold guard Orlan Wamar Jr. of 12.
Dawn Ochea added 20 markers, Mark Justine Dela Virgen recorded a double-double of 11 points and 12 assists, while Mark Neil Cruz and Cedric Ablaza ended with 11 apiece for Batangas City.
Dennis Santos finished with 22 points to lead Cebu, Ladis Lepalam added a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, while John Paul Martinez contributed 13 points as they fell to a 4-11 record.
Meanwhile, Quezon City Galeries Taipan (4-11) rode on a good offensive game by Ry Dela Rosa to defeat 1Bataan Risers (7-10), 95-88, and remain in playoff contention.
Dela Rosa tallied 20 points, laced with five triples, and three rebounds to clinch best player honors, Dante Bernabe contributed 15 points, 15 rebounds and two assists, and Franz Diaz had 13 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals for Quezon City.
Negrense Robby Celiz scored on a game-winning putback with two seconds left as Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards (15-0) escaped with an 84-83 victory against Zamboanga Sikat (13-3).
Celiz finished with a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds, while William McAloney top-scored with 14 markers, and Negrense John Byron Villarias chipped in 12 points./PN
