Cebu Greats win fifth straight

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Greats staged a fierce endgame attack to fend off the Valenzuela City Magic, 97-93, and extend their winning streak to five games in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season last Saturday evening, August 23, at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum.

The Greats wasted away a double-digit 36-25 lead in the second quarter and even saw themselves trailing by eight points, 70-78, in the final six minutes but Jun Manzo and Paul Desiderio fired back-to-back triples before Lean Martel scored on a driving layup to knot the count at 78-all with still 5:23 left to play.

Reeve Ugsang then sank two free throws before Desiderio rattled four straight points capping a 13-0 blitz that put the Greats on top by five, 83-78, for good in the last 4:46 mark.

Valenzuela came threateningly close for the last time at 93-95 as Manzo hit a crucial jump shot and then Desiderio made both his charities with 3.4 ticks remaining in the game clock to seal the deal for Cebu.

Desiderio was named Player of the Game with 19 points, seven rebounds, and as many assists. His tag partner Manzo also made his presence felt with 21 points, three rebounds and four assists.

Big man Jan Jamon topped Cebu with 22 points, three rebounds and a steal, while Ugsang had a breakout double-double performance with 20 points and 11 rebounds laced with three assists and a steal to help Cebu boost its playoff chances in the South Division with a 10-15 win-loss record.