By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Rizal XentroMall Golden Coolers ended the Bacolod Tubo Slashers’ campaign on a sour note, pulling off a 78-72 victory in the 2025 MPBL Season at the Marikina Sports Center on Monday night, September 29.
Powered by Michael Cañete’s 14 points, eight rebounds and three steals, Rizal climbed to 19-10 and secured the No. 3 seed in the Southern Division behind leaders, the Quezon Huskers (25-4) and the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters (19-10).
Alwyn Alday chipped in 11 points, while Neil Tolentino and John Apacible combined for 16 points and 14 rebounds for Rizal.
The Tubo Slashers, already out of contention, bowed out with a 7-22 record despite the efforts of John Lemuel Pastias (15 points), Jan Gabriel Sobrenega (12 points, seven rebounds, six assists), and Aldave Canoy (12 points, four rebounds).
Earlier, the San Juan Knights asserted their playoff readiness by beating the Marikina Shoemasters, 78-61, to finish the eliminations at 26-3 — good for No. 3 in the Northern Division behind Abra (27-1) and Nueva Ecija (27-2).
Arvin Gamboa led the Knights with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Orlan Wamar tallied 10 points and nine assists.
AC Soberano and Raul Soyud provided added support with nine and eight points, respectively.
Marikina closed out with a 4-25 slate, getting 12 points and eight rebounds each from Karl Peñano and Jay Yutuc.
In the opener, the Davao Occidental Tigers survived a fourth-quarter scare before escaping with a 97-91 triumph over the Quezon City Galeries Taipans.
The Tigers saw their 75-63 lead dissipate after a furious 13-point rally by Quezon City, capped by a Niño Ibañez triple, but Wowie Escosio restored order with consecutive baskets.
Davao improved to 12-17, staying at No. 9 in the South and setting up a play-in clash with the 10th-seeded Cebu Classic (11-18).
Joseph Terso led the Tigers with 21 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and four steals, while Escosio had a double-double of 17 points and 10 boards.
Harold Arboleda added 15 markers and Jeff Comia posted 10 points and six rebounds.
The Taipans, already eliminated, fell to 7-22 despite double-digit outings from Jeff Javillonar (17), Jayson Puray (13), Sidney Mosqueda (12), and Ibañez (10)./ASC, WDJ