By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Bacolod Tubo Slashers failed to sustain their strong start to suffer a 100-91 defeat to the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the 2025 MPBL Season at the Orion Sports Complex in Bataan on Monday night, April 28.
Despite establishing a 19-33 lead after the opening quarter, the Tubo Slashers were unable to halt the uprising of the Giant Lanterns, led by former PBA cager Donald Gumaru, to suffer another defeat.
The former Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings guard finished with a game-high of 24 points, including six three-point conversions, as the Giant Lanterns improved to a 7-1 win-loss slate.
“Napag-usapan lang namin nung halftime na mas higpitan pa namin ‘yung depensa namin sa second half, kasi nung first half, medyo lousy ‘yung laro namin eh,” Gumaru said in a post-game interview.
“Credit ko din naman sa teammates ko kung ano ‘yung nagawa ko sa game [against Bacolod]. And iko-continue lang namin ‘yung mga ginagawa namin sa mga next games namin,” he added.
Larry Muyang continued his strong showing for Pampanga with a double-double of 24 points and 14 rebounds.
Archie Concepcion contributed 12 points, seven assists and four boards.
Negrense Aldave Canoy paced the Tubo Slashers with 17 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Jan Gabriel Sobrevega, Jaycee Adjei and PJ Intia had 12 points each.
Richard Movida contributed 10 as they fell to a 1-4 mark.
The Tubo Slashers will once again attempt to return to their winning ways when they battle the Davao Occidental Tigers at the Robert Estrella Memorial Stadium in Pangasinan on Friday, May 2.
Meanwhile, the Muntinlupa Cagers (5-1) got back on the winning track with a 63-72 victory over Valenzuela Magic (3-6).
John Cantimbuhan finished with 17 points to lead the Cagers.
On the other hand, the 1Bataan Risers (4-5) scored a 73-48 rout over the Bulacan Kuyas (0-10).
Jeff Santos finished with 19 points and four rebounds to be named Player of the Game./ASC, WDJ
PAMPANGA 100 — Gumaru 24, Muyang 23, Concepcion 12, Clemente 9, Faundo 8, Eguilos 6, Binuya 6, Lalata 4, Alcoriza 4, Armenion 4, Garcia 0, Delfino 0.
BACOLOD 91 — Canoy 17, Adjei 12, Sobrevega 12, Intia 12, Movida 10, Battaler 9, Canal 9, Dubouzet 8, Pastias 2, Mallari 0, Soriano 0.
Quarterscores: 19-33, 45-45, 74-67, 100-91.