MANILA – Michael Mabulac converted a go-ahead basket with a second left as Pangasinan Heatwaves defeated Ilagan Isabela Cowboys, 96-94, in the 2025 MPBL Season on Saturday night at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena, Quezon.
Down 82-90 with over two minutes left in the game, the Heatwaves got a three-pointer from Jorey Napoles and an inside hit from Mabulac to cut the deficit to 87-90 before the Cowboys extended it to 92-87 on split free throws by Allen Mina and Joshua Guiab.
Pangasinan responded with inside hits from Mabulac and Joshua Fontanilla and a triple from Pedrito Galanza to take a 94-92 edge, but Ilagan knotted the count at 94-all on a basket by Guiab.
The Heatwaves then took a 96-94 edge with a second left on a go-ahead conversion by Mabulac from a pass by Michael Digregorio before Mina was forced to a long-range attempt at the buzzer.
Mabulac finished with 23 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals to be named Player of the Game as the Heatwaves notched their third victory in four matches.
“Hats off sa Ilagan, talagang bakbakan ‘yung naging laban namin,” Mabulac said after the game. “Nag-prepare talaga kami ng matindi for this game and alam namin na physical sila maglaro kaya sinabihan kami ng coaches na huwag mapipikon.”
“Escape win na naman sa amin, talagang breaks of the game lang ‘yung ipinanalo namin. Siguro ‘yung familiarity lang ng players ang naging susi, medyo nagkakakilala kilala na,” he added.
Hesed Gabo added 15 markers, including two three-point conversions, Vic Manuel tallied 13 markers, while Fontanilla and Galanza ended with 11 apiece for the Heatwaves.
Mina finished with 19 points to lead the Cowboys, Arthur dela Cruz added a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Guiab and Jr Olegario ended with 13 apiece as they fell to a 2-2 record.
Meanwhile, Imus Braderhood (2-2) pulled off a tight 81-79 victory over Zamboanga SIKAT (2-1). Ilonggo Jaypee Belencion finished with 17 points, including a go-ahead triple, for the Braderhood./PN
BOX SCORE:
PANGASINAN 96 – Mabulac 23, Gabo 15, Manuel 13, Fontanilla 11, Galanza 11, Napoles 8, Digregorio 7, Robin 7, Flores 1, Melencio 0, Collado 0, Bautista 0, Tolentino 0.
ILAGAN 94 – Mina 19, Dela Cruz 15, Olegario 13, Guiab 13, Dyke 12, Gomez 8, Gallano 6, Quitevis 0, Arenal 0, Marcos 0, Ramirez 0.
Quarterscores: 15-17, 35-40, 68-68, 96-94.
