The Bacolod Slashers caught the Paranaque Patriots off guard in the homestretch to take an 82-65 win on Tuesday in the MPBL 2025 Season at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Ira Spencer Bataller bunched all of his seven points to spark Bacolod's 14-point spurt against a triple by Paranaque's Jayboy Solis in the last four minutes and 44 seconds that swayed the balance for the Tubo Slashers, who improved to 2-5 in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
Jaycee Sam Adjei, a prized find from STI West Negros University, struck hardest for Bacolod with 21 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and three steals that merited best player honors.
Homegrown Mark Ray Dubouzet provided support with 14 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals.
Paranaque, looking to replicate its quarterfinals run in last year's MPBL playoffs, skidded to 1-5 despite four Patriots knocking in twin digits.
Castro posted 13 points, Ed Daquioag added 11 while John Paul Calvo, and Lander Canon chipped in 10 points apiece.
With Adjei sinking 9 of 13 field goal attempts, the Tubo Slashers pooled 26 out of 50 for 52 percent, way better than the Patriots' 19 of 49 for 38.8 percent.
The MPBL returns to the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan on Wednesday with games pitting Bataan against Marikina at 4 p.m., Davao against Mindoro at 6 p.m., and host Binan against Pasig at 6 p.m.
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