THE Quezon Huskers started hot and sustained the fire throughout to trounce the Binan Tatak Gel, 79-64, on Saturday and gain a share of the lead in the MPBL 2025 Season at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
Joseph Gabayni scored six points as the Huskers zoomed ahead, 13-0, and proceeded to notch their third straight victory, joining defending champion Pampanga and retooled Rizal Xentromall at the top of the 30-team field.
READ Mabulac buzzer beater lifts Pangasinan over Ilagan Isabela
With Alfrancis Tamsi, Judel Fuentes and Diego Dario joining the onslaught, the Huskers led by as far as 57-34, signifying their bid to regain the North Division crown and challenge again for the national title.
Tamsi finished with 16 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, while Fuentes posted 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals to clinch Best Player honors. Diego Dario also delivered for Quezon with 13 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds.
The Huskers, however, may miss top gun L-Jay Gonzales in their next game after the former Far Eastern University star hurt his left ankle after making a triple and playing only for 31 seconds.
Binan skidded to 1-3 as only Pamboy Raymundo with 12 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals, and Carlo Lastimosa with 11 points and 2 steals struck back.
Pangasinan banked on Michael Mabulac's short stab with a second left to nip Ilagan Isabela, 96-94, earlier.
The Pangasinan Heatwaves raised their record to 3-1 after erasing an 82-90 deficit brought about by the Cowboys' 15-point binge.
Still behind, 87-92, with 1 minute and 7 seconds left, the Heatwaves scored nine points and held the Cowboys to just two to turn the game around.
Imus Braderhood tripped Zamboanga SIKAT, 81-79, in the opener to level its slate at 2-2.
Down by four, Imus closed out with six points, spiked by Jaypee Belencion's triple, to snatch the win and pull down Zamboanga to 2-1.
The MPBL resumes on Monday, March 24, at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City with games pitting Bulacan against Abra at 4 p.m., debuting San Juan against Cebu at 6 p.m., and Quezon Province against Binan at 8 p.m.
The Quezon Huskers are seeking their third straight win and a share of the lead, while the San Juan Knights, the 2020 MPBL champions, are making their first appearance this season.
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