TIKAS Kapampangan forced a decider for the 2025 NBL-Pilipinas Governors’ Cup crown with a 104-99 win over Taguig Generals on Friday at the Magalang Gymnasium, Bren Z. Guiao Sports Center.
Tikas led by as many as 16 points, and weathered a last-ditch rally by the Generals to force a knockout Game 5 to be played in Taguig, where the Pampanga-based squad will go on the road, seeking its first-ever title in the homegrown basketball league.
Renzo Victoria scored on a putback after two missed free throws by Jaspher Manalang with 10.5 seconds left for a 102-99 lead for Tikas. Taguig then committed a turnover on the next play leading to Genmar Bragais hitting two free throws with 5.6 seconds remaining.
Manalang scored 16 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists in the Game 4 win, as Mikko Santos and Bragais chipped in 14 points apiece for Pampanguenos.
Too late for Taguig
After being down, 47-31, Taguig was able to close the gap to 100-98, but Edzel Galoy, the hero of Game 3 with a go-ahead layup in their 102-101 win last Monday, failed to tie the matchup after missing one of two free throws with 24 seconds left.
LJ Mayo, named MVP of the Governors’ Cup prior to Game 4, had 22 points and 10 rebounds and Dan Natividad had 19 points and eight assists for the Generals, who still have a shot at a fifth straight title and sixth overall in the league in Game 5.
Mayo, Bragais, Lhancer Khan of Tikas Kampampangan, and Juancho Tolentino and Edgie Jejillos of Nueva Ecija Granary Buffalos bagged Mythical Five honors.
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