By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Bacolod Tubo Slashers failed to score a follow-up win after bowing to Zamboanga Sikat, 87-63, in the 2025 MPBL Season at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City on Thursday, April 24.

The Tubo Slashers were only behind by five at 14-19 after the opening quarter, but they struggled to keep up with Sikat’s surge in the second period to fall behind 27-43 at the half.

Zamboanga continued to pull away in the second half as the lead reached its largest at 26 points at 83-57 on a basket by JC Luciano with more than two minutes remaining in the fourth period.

Shej Roi Sumang led the way for Zamboanga with 21 points, including five three-point conversions, to go with three assists and two steals.

Jul-Ashri Ignacio added 15 markers as they secured their sixth win in eight games.

Mark Ray Dubouzet paced the Tubo Slashers with 17 points off the bench.

Fellow homegrown player Aldave Canoy added 14 markers as they suffered their third loss in four matches.

The Tubo Slashers will try to return to their winning ways against the defending champion Pampanga Giant Lanterns at the Bataan People’s Center in Orani, Bataan on Monday, April 28 at 4:00 p.m./ASC, WDJ

ZAMBOANGA 87 — Sumang 21, Ignacio 15, Una 9, Cauilan 8, Altamirano 6, Mosqueda 5, Gabat 5, Rojas 4, Calisay 4, Salim 4, Are 2, Turco 2, Luciano 2, Sawat 0, Sena 0.

BACOLOD 63 — Dubouzet 17, Canoy 14, Sobrevega 9, Adjei 8, Intia 8, Movida 4, Canal 3, Mallari 0, Bataller 0, Pastias 0, Soriano 0.

Quarterscores: 19-14, 43-27, 64-44, 87-63.