In the OKbet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 4th Season presented by Xtreme at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga, Pampanga startled Batangas City Embassy Chill, 62-57. 

As the Athletics struggled to find their rhythm, the Giant Lanterns quickly built a 32-13 lead, leading 58-44 at the half. 

However, Batangas went on a 9-point run to start the fourth quarter, and Pampanga was stopped short of a basket as it sought to tie the score at 57-60 with 40 seconds left. 

The Athletics missed two triple attempts in the final 23 seconds, and a lay-up by Mitchelle Maynes, Pampanga’s fourth and final effort in the final 10 minutes, won the victory for the Giant Lanterns.

Archie Concepcion finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists for Pampanga, who improved to 7-4 and tied with second-game victor Bacolod Bingo Plus despite being held scoreless in the last quarter. 

As only Cedric Ablaza got his game going with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 steals, Batangas suffered its first defeat in 11 starts.

Earnest Reyes scored 13 points, while Christopher Lagrama contributed 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists for Concepcion. 

With 18 seconds left, Kraniel Villoria’s layup helped Bacolod edge Pasig, 71-70, and cut the Realtors’ lead to 6-4.

In addition to Jhan Mchale Nermal’s 18 points and Aaron Jeruta’s 12-point, 6-assist performance, Viloria ended with 16 points. 

In the first game, Imus destroyed Mindoro 104-61 to improve to 3-7, displaying its sharpest form to date. 

The Mindoro Tams suffered their 12th loss versus a victory as a result of Allan Mangahas’ triple-double of 12 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds; Genmar Bragais’ 27 points and 8 rebounds; Adrian Celada’s 20 points and 6 assists; and Jacob Galicia’s 13 points.

Only Cedric Ablaza got his game going, scoring 15 points, pulling down 11 boards, and adding five steals as Batangas suffered its first defeat in 11 starts. 

Kraniel Villoria’s layup with 18 seconds left helped Bacolod edge Pasig, 71-70, and reduced the Realtors to 6-4. 

In addition to Jhan Mchale Nermal’s final-round total of 18 points and Aaron Jeruta’s 12-point, six-assist performance, Viloria concluded with a total of 16.

As the Athletics struggled to find their rhythm, the Giant Lanterns quickly built a 32-13 lead, leading 58-44 at the half. 

However, Batangas went on a nine-point run to start the fourth quarter and threatened at 57-60 with 40 seconds left after Pampanga was kept without a field goal.

The Athletics missed two triple attempts in the final 23 seconds, and a lay-up by Mitchelle Maynes, Pampanga’s fourth and final effort in the final 10 minutes, won the victory for the Giant Lanterns. 

Archie Concepcion finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, and five assists for Pampanga, who improved to 7-4 and tied with second-game victor Bacolod Bingo Plus despite being held scoreless in the final period.

The Giant Lanterns defeated Batangas City Embassy Chill, 62-57, in the OKbet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 4th Season presented by Xtreme at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga’s scorching start cushioned its frigid finish.

Previous match performance by Batangas

In the OKbet-MPBL 4th Season in the Batangas City Coliseum on Monday, BATANGAS City overcame a ten-game losing streak by defeating Zamboanga, 87-83, in overtime. 

In the single round-robin elimination phase, the Batangas City Embassy Chill posted its tenth victory by relying on the prolific scoring of Levi Hernandez during regulation play and Juneric Baloria and Cedric Ablaza during extra time.

Hernandez scored a career-high 36 points as Batangas overcame an early 19-point deficit (25-35) to lead 72-69 in the final minutes before Jaycee Marcelino of the Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines and Adrian Santos split two rebounds to secure the extension. 

Zamboanga was defeated for the second time in a row and dropped to 8-2 behind Batangas in the South division as Ablaza and Baloria filled in for Hernandez, who was hindered by cramping.

Ablaza, who went scoreless in the opening period, concluded with 14 points and a game-high 21 rebounds, while Baloria delivered for Batangas Coach Cholo Villanueva with 16 points, 7 rebounds, and blocks. 

Jaycee Marcelino scored 26 points for Zamboanga, and Japz Bautista added 12 points, including seven in overtime.