The Pasay Voyagers snapped the Quezon Huskers’ hot streak with an 84-81 victory on Friday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.
Laurenz Victoria scored Pasay’s last five points to complete what Axel Inigo and Warren Bonifacio started as the Voyagers handed the Huskers their first loss after 16 wins in the elimination round of the 29-team tournament.
In other games, Abra subdued South Cotabato, 73-64, and Zamboanga Master Sardines bested Quezon City TODA Aksyon, 89-85.
As a result, the Huskers yielded the top spot to the Pampanga Giant Lanterns, who are on a 17-game roll after an initial loss.
Powered by Inigo’s 19 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals, Bonifacio’s 15 points and 4 rebounds, and Victoria’s 13 points and 5 assists, the Voyagers climbed to 12-7 and boosted their bid for a spot in the playoffs.
Other Voyagers who delivered were Dhon Reverente with 11 points and 15 rebounds, Brian Wendel Hilario with 11 points and AJ Coronel with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
The Huskers crawled out of a 65-48 hole to move within 81-76, but Victoria made a 3-point play to ease the pressure with 1 minute and 37 seconds left.
Quezon’s Topeng Lagrama canned two free throws and Xyrus Torres buried a triple to forge the final count. The Huskers had a chance to extend the game, but Torres missed another triple before the buzzer.
Quezon got 14 points from Judel Fuentes, 13 points, including 10 in the last five minutes, plus 5 assists from Lagrama, and 12 points, including 3 triples, from Lucena City Mayor Mark Alcala.
