By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Valenzuela City Magic converted timely baskets in the endgame to defeat the Bacolod City Tubo Slashers, 86-82, in the 2025 MPBL Season at the Paco Arena in Manila on Monday night, June 2.

With the score tied at 82-all following a conversion by Bacolod’s PJ Intia with 15 seconds left, Valenzuela broke the deadlock with an inside conversion from Jan Formento.

After a missed shot attempt by the Tubo Slashers, Kyle Neypes knocked down two free throws to increase the advantage to 86-82 with just a second remaining in the game.

Formento finished with a game-high 24 points, including four three-pointers, to go with four assists, three rebounds and a steal as the Magic improved to a 4-10 win-loss slate.

Neypes added 14 markers, seven rebounds and three assists, while Kobe Monje contributed 10 points and nine rebounds for Valenzuela.

Valenzuela set the tone early as they led by as many as 12 points before Bacolod countered with their own run to establish their own 10-point edge in the third quarter.

The Magic managed to tie the score at 63-all entering the fourth quarter before they turned the game into a seesaw battle and escaped with a four-point victory.

Chester Saldua top-scored for Bacolod with 20 points.

Jaycee Adjei added 17 points and nine rebounds.

Miles Cañal contributed 10 points as they fell to a 2-10 record./ASC, WDJ