Cowboys book MPBL playoff berth

MANILA, Philippines —  The Ilagan Isabela Cowboys held the fort under pressure and thwarted the Bataan Risers, 74-71, on Wednesday to clinch the eighth and last playoff slot in the North Division of the Manny Pacquiao Presents MPBL 2025 Season at The Capital Arena in Ilagan City, Isabela.

With top gun Arth dela Cruz out after a right ankle injury in the third quarter, the Cowboys called on homegrown Donald Gumaru, Agem Miranda and Jerie Pingoy to fend off the Risers and forge a best-of-three showdown with North’s top qualifier Abra Solid North Weavers in the playoff round starting today.

Miranda canned two free throws while Pingoy went three of four in the dying seconds to frustrate the Risers.