Over in Laguna, the Biñan Tatak Gel Warriors held their nerve down the stretch to defeat the Rizal Xentromall Golden Coolers, 77–68, in Game 1 of their own South quarterfinal showdown.
Clinging to a slim 70–68 lead, Biñan closed the game with a 7–0 run as Rizal went cold in the final 3:21, missing all six of their last attempts.
Carlo Lastimosa powered Biñan with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Kenny Roger Rocacurva (12 points, 5 assists), Pamboy Raymundo (11 points), and Jaymar Gimpayan (10 points, 7 rebounds) provided steady support.
Rizal got 19 points from Alwyn Alday and 15 from Eric Camson, but their comeback fell short as Biñan dominated the boards 44–31 and the paint 44–34. Marc Pingris added 9 rebounds in the win.
The Golden Coolers’ poor free-throw shooting (7 of 14) proved costly against Biñan’s efficient 15-of-19 clip.
Meanwhile, the MPBL North Division playoffs resume Saturday at the Caloocan Sports Complex, where Abra Solid North and Caloocan Batang Kankaloo aim to sweep their series against Ilagan Isabela and defending champion Pampanga Giant Lanterns, respectively.| – BNN Integrated News
