THE Quezon Huskers subdued the Bacolod Tubo Slashers, 85-74, on Thursday to stay within sight of the leaders in the MPBL 2025 Season at the Playtime Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Powered by Gab Banal, LJ Gonzales and Vince Magbuhos, the Huskers surged ahead, 59-39, on the way to their 16th win against 3 losses - good for the top spot in the South Division and fourth overall in the 30-team tournament.
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North Division powerhouses Abra (18-1), Nueva Ecija (18-1) and San Juan pace the race for playoff berths.
Banal chalked up 13 points and 3 rebounds to clinch Best Player honors over Gonzales, who had 12 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals, and Magbuhos with his 12 points and 3 rebounds.
Bacolod tumbled to 2-17 despite Mark Ray Malazarte's 17 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals; Aldave Canoy's 15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks; and Mart James Barrera's 15 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
The MPBL takes a break from July 18 to July 20 in deference to founder and chairman Manny Pacquiao's world title fight against Mario Barrios on Sunday (July 20, Philippine time) at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
It will resume on July 21 with games pitting Pangasinan against Imus at 4 p.m., Abra against Davao at 6 p.m., and Batangas against Mindoro at 8 p.m. at the Batangas City Coliseum.
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