Quezon unleashed its bench power in the second half to overcome Binan Tatak Gel and retain the South Division crown in the 747.LIVE-presented Manny Pacquiao MPBL 2025 Season at a packed Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
Trailing for most of the first half, the Huskers seized control after three quarters and opened a nine-point lead early in the fourth to take the best-of-five series, 3-2, punching their ticket to the MPBL National Finals against the Abra Solid North Weavers, the North Division champions.
L-jay Gonzales, rested in the second quarter, took over when it mattered most, scoring eight of his game-high 14 points in the final ten minutes. He also added 2 assists and 2 rebounds to earn Best Player honors.
Vince Magbuhos contributed 13 points and nine rebounds, while Joshua Yerro added eight points and Christian Pagaran seven.
Their collective effort helped compensate for the absence of top scorer Judel Fuentes, who had injured his left ankle in Game Four.
For Binan, Pamboy Raymundo led with 10 points, followed by Carlo Lastimosa with nine. Jaymar Gimpayan and Kenny Roger Rocacurva with seven each.
Despite Rocacurva grabbing 10 rebounds, Quezon dominated the boards, 44-38, with Joseph Gabayni chipping in nine rebounds.
Last year, the Huskers defeated the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters in the South Finals but were swept by the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the National Finals.
In the opening quarter, Binan silenced Quezon for six minutes, scoring 14 points — including the first six from Lastimosa — to take a 16-9 lead. Rocacurva and Yerro exchanged three-pointers to close the first half at 30-25, Binan ahead.
Quezon won Game One, 57-55, and Game Three, 66-56, while Binan captured Game Two, 68-55, and Game Four, 57-53.
MPBL Chief Executive Officer Joe Ramos and Operations Head Emmer Oreta awarded the championship trophy to the Huskers, led by coach Eric Gonzales and Quezon Governor Helen Tan.
The MPBL National Finals are set to begin on December 10 at the Gov. Andres B. Bernos Memorial Gymnasium in Bangued, Abra.
