Its character tested once more, Batangas City-Tanduay Rum Masters broke out of slump and arrested a three-game losing skid with a tough 82-79 triumph over a gritty Pasay team in the MPBL 2025 Season on Saturday at the Capoital Arena in Ilagan, Isabela.
The Rum Masters came out of the game facing the prospect of absorbing the longest losing streak in franchise history.
“There was so much pressure because we were facing a three-game losing skid and ever since I started coaching in the MPBL, I’ve never experienced such (losing four in a row) and we didn’t want that to happen,” Villanueva told Pinoy Step.
“We just made our last stop as a showcase that we didn’t want to lose that game.”
A two-man game involving Jong Baloria and Cedric Ablaza resulted to the Rum Masters’ marginal basket with the latter scoring after diving hard to the basket to receive the pass from the veteran guard.
In the next play, Batangas City came out prepared to contest Pasay’s spread formation, preventing the Voyagers of a potential game-tying basket to send the game to overtime.
Batangas City’s victory allowed the squad to improve to 4-4 while dealing Pasay its third loss in nine games.
Earlier, Quezon dumped Manila, 123-82, as the reigning southern division champion drew eight points or more from eight players.
The Huskers got 16 points apiece from guards Judel Fuentes and LJay Gonzalers while JP Sarrao added 15, including 13 in the second period alone. Ximone Sandagon added 13 points, Christian Pagaran chipped in 12, Gab Banal had 11 and Emmanuel Tagle had 10. Other notable performers also include Joshua Yerro and Christian Bunag, with nine and eight respectively for Quezon, which improved its standing to 7-1.
