The Pasay Voyagers bested the Pangasinan Heatwaves, 83-75, on Thursday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Sparked by Axel Inigo’s triple, the Voyagers scored the game’s last seven points to foil the Heatwaves’ final rally and tally their 10th win against 7 losses in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.
Earlier, South Cotabato subdued Bacolod, 90-84, and Marikina battered Bicolandia, 120-93.
Riding the double-double of Chris Dumapig and the contributions of Enzo Joson, Larry Rodriguez and Kyle Tolentino, the South Cotabato Warriors surged ahead, 52-37, and were never threatened to rise to 13-5.
Pangasinan threatened twice, 73-74 and 75-76, following jumpers by Michael Mabulac and Hesed Gabo, respectively, that sandwiched a layup by Pasay’s Warren Bonifacio, who posted 20 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists.
Inigo wound up with 17 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds for the Voyagers who broke free at 58-42 with 3 minutes and 22 seconds to go in the third quarter.
Laurenz Victoria also shone for Pasay, which converted 12 of 14 charities, with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists.
The Heatwaves, who fell to 6-11, got 12 points each from John Paul Maguillano and Ralph Robin and 10 from Gabo.
Dumapig wound up with 16 points and 10 rebounds, followed by Joson with 15 points and 7 rebounds, Rodriguez with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, and Tolentino with 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
