PANGASINAN built an early lead before surviving a late push from Pasig to take an 82-72 on Monday at the MPBL 2025 Season at the Alonte Sports Arena.
The Heatwaves led by as many as 19, 59-40, but saw that lead cut down to five late in the game 75-70. Luckily for them, they had enough in the tank to get to the finish line first tio improve to 16-7 and tie Caloocan and Pampanga at shared fourth in the standings.
Abra leads the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament with a 22-1 slate, towing Nueva Ecija (21-1) and San Juan (21-2).
Ian Melencio shone for Pangasinan with 20 points and six rebounds while Jorey Napoles and Bong Galanza added 13 points.
John Felix Corpuz finished with 18 points for Pasig while Mark Montuano added 15 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Meanwhile, Valenzuela outgunned Paranaque in a fiery opener, 113-105.
Adven Diputado led Valenzuela with 19 points, followed by Kobe Monje with 16 points. Carl Lacap and Jan Formento added 15 apiece, as Arvie Bringas and Jonathan Gesalem chipped in 11 each. JR Alabanza rounded off the Magic's double-digit scorers with 10 points.
Paranaque fell to a league-worst 1-21 slate despite Shaquille Alanes' 24-point, 10-rebound, 4-steal effort.
The MPBL returns to the Orion Sports Complex on Tuesday, with games pitting Saragani against Basilan at 4 p.m., Imus against Nueva Ecija at 6 p.m., and Bataan against Pampanga at 8 p.m.
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