The Manny Pacquiao Presents MPBL 2025 playoffs delivered a night for the books as both Basilan Starhorse Portmasters and Quezon Huskers scored double-overtime victories — a first in local basketball history — during Monday’s doubleheader at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center in Bulacan.
Basilan nearly squandered a 20-point lead in regulation but regained composure in the clutch to edge the GenSan Warriors, 116-114, forcing a deciding Game 3 in their South Division quarterfinal series.
Veteran big man Jervy Cruz played the hero’s role, knocking down a cold-blooded three-pointer with 8.2 seconds remaining to seal the Portmasters’ win.
The Warriors earlier took Game 1, 85-78, on October 13 at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
(C) MPBL
In the first game, Judel Fuentes drove to the basket for a go-ahead layup with 2.7 seconds left, lifting the Quezon Huskers to a 104-102 win over the Mindoro Tamaraws and securing their spot in the South Division semifinals. Quezon also won Game 1, 83-74, last October 10 in Lucena City.
Sherwin Concepcion spearheaded Basilan’s offense with 26 points built on seven triples, along with 14 rebounds.
Alex Cabagnot followed with 22 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals, while Emman Calo contributed a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Renzo Navarro added 11 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals.
Up by nine entering the final minutes, Basilan appeared to have the game in hand when Concepcion caught fire, burying four treys in a 17-6 run that stretched their lead to 94-74 with 4:36 left.
However, GenSan refused to fold. Kyle Tolentino, Jackson Corpuz, and Nico Elorde spearheaded a furious rally that cut the deficit to 86-96.
Still trailing 90-99 with 36.7 seconds to go, the Warriors unleashed a 9-0 burst — capped by triples from Tolentino, Corpuz, and Marwin Dionisio — to force overtime.
Elorde’s three-pointer put GenSan ahead 106-104 in the extra frame, but Calo calmly sank two free throws in the dying seconds to send the game into a second overtime.
Corpuz led the Warriors with 27 points, 16 rebounds, and 2 steals but committed a costly turnover with 4.1 seconds remaining that sealed their fate.
Dionisio posted 14 points and 11 boards, Tolentino chipped in 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Elorde added 14 points and 4 assists. Val Acuña also contributed 11 markers.
Basilan and GenSan will meet again on Friday for the right to face Quezon in the semifinals.
