MANILA — In a game that tested nerves, lungs, and heart, Jervy Cruz delivered the shot of the night — a cold-blooded triple that saved Basilan Star Horse Viva Portmasters from the brink and sent their playoff hopes roaring back to life.
Cruz’s dagger from beyond the arc with eight seconds left lifted Basilan past the GenSan Warriors, 116–114, in a double-overtime thriller in Game 2 of the 2025 MPBL South Division Quarterfinals on Monday night at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center in Bulacan.
Down 113–114 after a basket by GenSan’s Joel Lee Yu, the veteran Cruz found himself open on the wing off an Emman Calo assist — and didn’t hesitate. The ball ripped through the net, and Basilan seized the lead for good. The Warriors still had a final possession, but Jackson Corpuz fumbled the ball to Basilan guard Alex Cabagnot as the buzzer sounded, sealing one of the most electrifying finishes of the postseason.
Cruz finished with six points built on two treys, plus two rebounds and two assists — but it was that final shot that mattered most, forcing a winner-take-all Game 3 on Friday.
Sherwin Concepcion led the charge for Basilan with a monster double-double of 26 points and 14 rebounds. Cabagnot poured in 22 markers, while Calo, Lorenzo Navarro, and Arwind Santos backed him with 17, 11, and 10 points, respectively.
“‘Yung Game 1 naging motivation ‘yun sa akin kasi wala akong na-contribute sa team. ‘Yung tiwala na ibinibigay sa akin ni coach Rich (Alvarez) gusto ko lang alagaan ‘yun,” said Concepcion, who bounced back big after a quiet series opener.
For GenSan, Corpuz put up 27 points in a gallant stand, while Kyle Tolentino, Nico Elorde, and Marwin Dionisio added 14 apiece. Lee Yu and Hezy Val Acuña chipped in 13 and 11, respectively.
In the other South Division matchup, the Quezon Huskers also had to go the distance, outlasting the gritty Mindoro Tamaraws, 104–102, in double overtime behind a fearless drive by Judel Fuentes with 2.7 seconds left to clinch a semifinals berth.
Fuentes tallied 21 points, Al Francis Tamsi added 16, Will Gozum had 14 points and six rebounds, and Gab Banal and Vince Magbuhos contributed 13 and 11.
Mindoro’s RJ Ramirez erupted for 25 points, Ashon Andrews posted 18 points and 13 rebounds, Bam Gamalinda notched 15 and 11, while Wendell Comboy had 13 in a losing effort./PN
BOX SCORE
BASILAN 116 — Concepcion 26, Cabagnot 22, Calo 17, Navarro 11, Ar. Santos 10, Tempra 9, Dagangon 7, Cruz 6, Caduyac 3, Ad. Santos 3, Pasturan 2, Joson 0, Garde 0.
GENSAN 114 — Corpuz 27, Tolentino 14, Elorde 14, Dionisio 14, Lee Yu 13, Acuña 11, Tan 8, Rodriguez 5, Cruz 2, Masaglang 2, Jeruta 2, Bringas 2, Gonzales 0, Pacquiao 0.
Quarters: 17–24, 44–41, 66–54, 99–99, 106–106, 116–114.
