Pampanga thwarts Pasay, Batangas nips Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion Pampanga thwarted Pasay while inaugural titlist Batangas escaped past Quezon City Monday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season elimination round at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Powered by reigning MVP Justine Baltazar, the Pampanga Giant Lanterns bested the Pasay Voyagers, 70-65, in the nightcap and climbed to a 7-1 card, the same card as the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters, who rose from the grave to force overtime and nip Quezon City TODA Aksyon, 76-73.

Pampanga and Batangas are right behind 6-0 pacesetters Biñan, Neva Ecija, Quezon and San Juan in the standings.

Trailing, 53-61, with only 45.1 seconds to go, the Rum Masters dropped 10 points on a triple by Levi Hernandez, a four-point play by Jong Baloria and another triple by Mark dela Virgen against two free throws by Rafael Are to knot the count at 63.