Archie Concepcion bunched seven points in the homestretch to push Pampanga past Rizal, 74-71, on Tuesday and regain traction in the MPBL 2025 Season at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The Rizal Xentromall Golden Coolers were threatening at 65-68, when Concepcion hit a trey, two free throws and a layup against two charities by Samboy De Leon to pad the Giant Lanterns' lead to 72-67 with 1 minute and 42 seconds left.
De Leon converted two more freebies, but Jeepy Faundo sealed Pampanga's 11th win against 4 losses in the elimination round of the 30-team tournament with two free throws in the last 3.9 seconds.
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Concepcion clinched Best Player honors with 22 points, laced by four triples, and 3 rebounds over Larry Muyang with 10 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks.
Raymond Binuya tallied 8 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists, Faundo 6 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks, and Jhaymo Eguilos 6 points plus 7 rebounds for Pampanga, which recovered from a 74-82 beating it suffered at the hands of Nueva Ecija in the same venue on June 6.
Rizal fell to 9-6 despite De Leon's 20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals, and Eric Camson's 18 points plus 8 rebounds.
The Pasay Voyagers returned to orbit with an 81-66 thrashing of the Valenzuela City Magic earlier.
Ruling the boards, 70-42, the Voyagers surged ahead by 20 points (39-19) and were never headed to recover from a two-game slide and improve to 9-7 in the race for playoff berths.
Cyrus Tabi presided over the Voyagers' assault with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals, followed by Felipe Chavez with 12 points, 5 rbeounds and 2 assist, Jopet Soriano with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists, and Jasper Salenga with 10 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists.
Valenzuela stumbled to 2-11 as only Jan Formento with 26 points, 5 assists and 2 rebounds, and JR Alabanza with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals found their range.
The Bulacan Kuyas pounced on the misfiring Bacolod Tubo Slashers to prevail, 69-63, in the opener.
Drilling in 8 of 17 triple attempts, the Kuyas led the Tubo Slashers, who could only make 4 of 22 attempts, for 33 minutes and 46 seconds and improved to 2-14.
The MPBL returns to the Alonte Sports Arena on Wednesday with games pitting Mindoro against Sarangani at 4 p.m., Pasig against Basilan at 6 p.m., and host Binan against Davao at 8 p.m.
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