Quezon rips Bataan to seize MPBL South solo lead

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon Huskers pulled away in the third quarter and proceeded to subdue the Bataan Risers, 91-65, on Thursday and secure top seeding in the South Division of Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Caloocan Sports Complex.

JP Sarao poured in eight points as the Huskers clustered 11 en route to a 69-54 spread and a 22-win, four-loss record, beyond reach of the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters, with an 18-8 slate, in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team, two-division tournament.

The Huskers, with Judel Fuentes at the helm, continued their rampage in the fourth quarter and led as far as 91-65 to avenge their twin losses to the Risers in the last two seasons.

Sarao posted 18 points, spiked by three triples, five rebounds and two assists; Fuentes finished with 17 points, three rebounds and two steals; and LJ Gonzales with 10 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

With Fuentes knocking in 4-of-6 attempts, Sarao 3-of-5, Topeng Lagrama 3-of-5, and Gab Banal 3-of-5, the Huskers converted 17-of-36 for a high 47.2% 3-point conversion rate.

In contrast, the Risers could only connect on 4-of-27 triple tries for a paltry 14.8%.

Bataan got 12 points from Hubert Cani and 10 from Alfred Flores.

Cani drilled in a buzzer-beater triple to push Bataan within 37-42 at halftime and knot the count at 42.

The MPBL will take a break for its All-Star Festivities on Saturday at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna. The regular season resumes on Monday at the Calasiao Sports Complex, with games pitting Ilagan Isabela against Pasig at 4 p.m., Zamboanga against Basilan at 6 p.m., and Pangasinan against Cebu at 8 p.m.

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