By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Bacolod Tubo Slashers continued to struggle in the 2025 MPBL Season, absorbing an 89-76 defeat to the Bataan Risers at the Orion Sports Complex in Bataan over the weekend.

Yves Sazon fired 14 points to lead Bataan, which improved to 12-16 behind steady support from Rhaffy Octobre (11 points, nine rebounds and three assists), Hubert Cani (11 points, five rebounds and three assists), Chris Javier (10 points, six rebounds and two assists) and Lorenz Capulong (10 points, four rebounds and two steals).

Bacolod, already out of playoff contention, dropped to 4-23 despite 14 points from Mark Ray Dubouzet and 11 from Aldave Canoy.

Earlier, the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards displayed their depth and firepower in a 138-72 rout of the Parañaque Patriots.

All 14 players fielded by coach Don Dulay scored as Nueva Ecija locked up the Northern Division’s No. 2 spot with a 26-2 record.

Negrense John Byron Villarias led the onslaught with 23 points, six assists and five rebounds.

Negrense Robby Celiz had 18 points, Jammer Jamito scored 23 points while Jaycee Marcelino chipped in 14 points.

Parañaque fell to a league-worst 1-27 slate despite Shaquille Alanes’ 28-point effort.

Meanwhile, defending back-to-back champion Pampanga Giant Lanterns turned a slim lead into a decisive 86-71 win over Davao Occidental.

Pampanga used a 14-0 stretch bridging the third and fourth quarters to pull away, with Jhaymo Eguilos and Sonny Estil chipping in 11 points apiece.

The Giant Lanterns climbed to 19-8, virtually securing the Northern’s fourth seed, while Davao slipped to 10-16 but stayed in the hunt for a Southern Division play-in berth./ASC, WDJ