PAMPANGA
started hot and sustained that fire to torch
Pasig
, 91-55, on Saturday in the
MPBL 2025
Season at The Capital Arena in Ilagan, Isabela.
Showing why they’re the reigning back-to-back national titlists, the Giant Lanterns surged ahead, 23-4, after the first quarter and padded that lead till the end for their eighth win against a loss in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
The Giant Lanterns caught up with the Abra Weavers and the Quezon Huskers and remained close to pacesetters Nueva Ecija (8-0) and San Juan (7-0) in the chase for playoff spots.
John Lloyd Clemente led Pampanga with 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists, followed by Larry Muyang with 13 points, five rebounds and two assists, and Chris Lalata with 12 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.
Pasig, which tasted its fourth straight loss after winning its first two games, drew 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals from Christian Rivera and 10 points from homegrown Jerome Garcia.
The MPBL resumes on Monday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig with games pitting sarangani against Bulacan at 4 p.m., Muntinlupa against Zamboanga at 6 p.m., and Ilagan Isabela against Batangas at 8 p.m.