The Ilagan Isabela Cowboys piled a big lead in the fourth quarter before cruising to a 75-63 victory over the Muntinlupa Cagers in Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Batangas City Coliseum.
The Cowboys surged ahead, 71-45, in the fourth quarter en route to their 13th win against 11 losses, good for the eighth spot in the North Division in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 30-team tournament.
Ilagan Isabela trails Pasay (16-8) and tows Bataan (9-15) in the chase for playoff berths, being led by North powerhouses Abra (22-1), Nueva Ecija (22-1) and San Juan (21-2).
JR Olegario posted 17 points, 12 in the third quarter, 4 rebounds and 2 assists to clinch best player honors over fellow Cowboys Agem Miranda, with 16 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals; and Mark Dyke, with 15 points, 16 rebounds and 2 steals.
Buenaventura Raflores tallied 8 points in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Cowboys, who only had 6, as Muntinlupa cut the gap on the way
to a 10-13 slate and the ninth spot in the South Division.
Raflores wound up with 12 points plus 10 rebounds, and Dom Matillano 10 points plus 5 rebounds for slumping Muntinlupa.
Host Batangas City clobbered Manila, 103-59, as five players finished in double figures with CJ Lane making a huge impact, scoring 13 of his 15 points. Jeckster Apinan led the way for the Athletics with a near double-double performance of 16 points and nine rebounds.
John Ambulodto completed a double-double game with 14 points and 10 boards while Levi Hernandez and Philip Paniamogan produced 10 apiece.
Also winning on Thursday night was Gensan, which nipped Zamboanga, 71-70.
