WOWIE Escosio scored on a short stab with under a second left to lift Davao Occidental past Valenzuela City Magic, 84-83 in Saturday's opener of the MPBL 2025 at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City.
Escosio's game winning basket kept the Tigers in the running for an MPBL playoff spot as they improved to 9-14, chasing after Muntinlupa (10-13), Cebu (10-16) and Sarangani (9-15).
It also made sure that his big game didn't go to waste as he finished 24 points and six rebounds to earn best player honors over Joseph Salubre who finished with 13 markers and Harold Arboleda who had 11 points and seven rebounds.
PBA draft hopeful Kobe Monje led the now 6-20 Valenzuela with 20 points and nine rebounds.
Basilan extends streak to four
In the second game, Basilan Starhorse turned on the jets in the second half to take a 106-78 win over Imus Grumpy Joe
The Portmasters extended their hot run to four and climbed to 14-11, moving ahead of Binan (13-11) in the round-robin elimination phase of the South Division of the 30-team tournament.
Omar Larupay powered the Portmasters with 23 points, 15 in the last two quarters, 16 rebounds and three assists, while Emman Calo with 17 points, 14 assists, seven rebounds and three steals.
The MPBL resumes on Monday at the Paco Arena in Manila, with games pitting Abra against Muntinlupa at 4 p.m., Quezon Province against Mindoro at 6 p.m., and Quezon City against Paranaque at 8 p.m.
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