Ilagan Isabela delivered a dominant fourth-quarter performance to rout Sarangani, 74-54, in the Manny Pacquiao Presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season on Saturday at their home court, The Capital Arena.
Led by Art Dela Cruz and JR Olegario, the Cowboys outscored the Grippers 27-15 in the final period, securing their first Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League victory in commanding fashion.
With the game beyond reach at 71-50 following a Dela Cruz basket, the majority of the 10,000-strong crowd left the arena proud and satisfied, despite the late 11:20 PM finish.
Dela Cruz, a former sharpshooter for the Davao Occidental Tigers, earned Best Player of the Game honors after posting 16 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block.
Olegario, previously with the Parañaque Patriots, contributed 13 points, two rebounds, and two steals under the guidance of Cowboys head coach Louie Gonzales.
Other key contributors for Ilagan Isabela included Joshua Guiab, a former Jose Rizal University standout, who chipped in 12 points, five rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
Joshua Gallano, another former Patriot, stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, seven assists, five rebounds, two steals, and a block, while ex-Ateneo guard Gab Gomez added 10 points and two assists.
For Sarangani, Kyt Jimenez led the way with 14 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Larce Sunga added 10 points and four rebounds, while Coy Alves and Junjie Hallare chipped in six points apiece.
Ilagan Isabela took control early, building a 33-12 lead before Sarangani fought back to trim the deficit to 35-22 by halftime. Back-to-back three-pointers from Olegario in the fourth quarter helped the Cowboys pull away for good at 53-40.
(C) MPBL
In the first game of the doubleheader, Abra Solid North weathered a late Biñan Tatak Gel rally to secure a 69-60 victory.
The Abra Weavers led by as much as 17 points, 62-45, before Biñan surged back behind hot shooting from KG Canaleta and Michael Maestre, cutting the deficit to just six, 63-57. However, clutch baskets from Dave Ildefonso and Marwin Taywan in the final minute sealed the win for Abra.
Encho Serrano, a key recruit from Pampanga, led the Weavers with 14 points, but it was former Ateneo Blue Eagle Ildefonso who took Best Player honors with 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
Taywan, formerly of San Juan, contributed 12 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while ex-La Salle standout Raven Gonzales added 12 points, five rebounds, and two assists.
The Weavers dominated the paint, out-rebounding Biñan 49-28 and outscoring them 42-18 in the shaded area. They also capitalized on second-chance opportunities with a 12-2 advantage.
Yousef Taha and John Uduba anchored Abra’s dominance inside, pulling down 11 and nine rebounds, respectively.
Biñan was led by Pamboy Raymundo and Canaleta, who scored 11 points each, with Raymundo recording the first basket of the MPBL season just 12 seconds into the game. Jeric James Pido contributed eight points for Biñan.
The Weavers built a 35-24 halftime lead behind Serrano, returnee Ryan Batino, and the 6-foot-7 Gonzales.
Prior to the games, the MPBL season officially opened with a grand ceremony featuring a parade of representatives and muses from the 30 competing teams, a video presentation showcasing Ilagan City, and various song and dance performances. Johnlene Ariola, Bb. Ilagan 2024, was awarded Best Muse of the night.
MPBL Founder and Chairman Manny Pacquiao, who made the trip to Ilagan after a flight delay, graced the event alongside Ilagan Mayor Jay Diaz, Isabela Governor Rodito Albano, and Ilagan Isabela Cowboys team owner Avelino Diaz. Also in attendance were MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes, chief legal counsel Glenn Gacal, operations head Emmer Oreta, and security chief Rudy Distrito.
The MPBL goes to Rosales, Pangasinan on Monday, March 10, with games pitting Mindoro against Imus at 4:00 PM, Pasay against Nueva Ecija at 6:00 PM, and Pangasinan against Bataan at 8:00 PM.
