Binan gets back at Quezon to tie MPBL South finals series
MANILA, Philippines — Binan quelled Quezon Province's fiery rally to tally a 68-65 victory on Wednesday and level the 747 Live presents Manny Pacquiao MPBL 2025 Season South Division Finals at the Lucena Convention Center.
The Lagunenses were ahead by 14 points heading to the last four minutes, but the Huskers clustered 12, capped by back-to-back triples by Judel Fuentes and Ljay Gonzales, and threatened, 62-64, with 46.5 seconds left.
Carlo Lastimosa, however, scored on a shot stab, Marc Pingris made his second free throw, and Lastimosa connected on his first charity to negate Gozum's closing triple with 17.7 seconds to go.
Lastimosa posted 21 points and six rebounds to clinch Best Player honors, followed by Kenny Roger Rocacurva with 10 points and eight rebounds, and Pingris with 10 points and eight rebounds.
Bam Lopez chipped in seven points and two assists, and Warren Bonifacio five points and three rebounds for Binan, a first-timer in the division finals.
Quezon, the reigning South champion, drew 22 points from Fuentes, 12 from Gonzales, who issued 12 assists, and 10 from Will Gozum.
Quezon won Game 1, 57-55.
Apart from being beaten off the boards, 36-45, the Huskers converted only 9 of 19 free throw attempts and paid dearly as the Lagunenses scored 19 from 34 charities.
Binan hosts Game 3 at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Alonte Sports Arena.
Fuentes turned hot with 16 points, including back-to-back triples, and Gab Banal added another as Quezon seized control, 31-26, in the second quarter.
Binan, riding Lastimosa's 11 points, regained the lead at the break, 39-38.
A buzzer-beating jumper by Enzo Subido put Binan ahead, 19-18, after the first quarter.
Abra Solid North shoots for the North Division crown at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Robert Estrella Sr. Memorial Gym in Rosales, Pangasinan.
The Abra Solid North Weavers hold a 2-0 lead and would cut short the best-of-five series with a Game 3 victory.
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