THE Pangasinan Heatwaves torched the Paranaque Patriots, 135-76, on Thursday to continue their climb in the MPBL 2025 Season at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
With all 13 players fielded contributing three points or more, Pangasinan led as big as 133-70 before cruising to its fifth straight win for a 15-6 card in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
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Pangasinan caught up with reigning back-to-back titlist Pampanga at fourth spot in the North Division, trailing co-leaders Nueva Ecija, Abra and San Juan, all with 20-1 slates.
Joshua Fontanilla led Pangasinan with 25 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists; followed by Michael DiGregorio with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists; Allyn Bulanadi with 15 points and 2 rebounds, JP Maguilano with 14 points, spiked by three triples, 8 rebounds and 4 assists, and Michael Mabulac with 13 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists.
Apart from ruling the boards, 69-31, the Heatwaves shot well from the field, 55 of 98 for 56.1 percent, and played more cohesively with 43 assists against the Patriots' 25.
Paranaque, which skidded to a league-worst 1-20 record, got 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists from Shaquilee Alanes, 15 points from Wilson Baltazar and 12 each from Kris Torrado and Justine Padua.
The MPBL goes to Ynares Center Montalban on Friday, with games pitting Bulacan against Imus at 4 p.m., Davao against San Juan at 6 p.m., and host Rizal Xentromall against Ilagan Isabela at 8 p.m.
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