THE Pangasinan Heatwaves continued their hot start in the 7^th Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League after drubbing the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters in their homecourt FPJ Arena in San Jose town, 85-79, last April 4, 2025.

 

In the first period, Heatwaves demonstrated their outside shooting mastery, drilling four triples with 57% field goal efficiency from beyond the line to set up an early lead, 23-16.

 

Kenneth Ighalo navigated the Rum Masters offense in the second frame, sinking two three-pointers and a putback layup to forge an eight-to-nothing run and take the lead in the halftime, 38-40.

 

Heading to the third quarter, Rum Masters’ Cedrick Ablaza preserved the Batangas’ scoring surge and exploded for 10 points and five rebounds to put pressure on Pangasinan. However, Heatwaves’ Harvey Pagsanjan, Vic Manuel, and Michael Mabulac worked together for 14 points to respond and reclaim the advantage, 66-59.

 

Trailing behind by eight points halfway in the fourth, 61-69, Mark Cruz led the late game rally for Batangas with 11 points through his driving floaters. On the other hand, Pangasinan’s Pagsanjan defused the threat for good with his six points off hook shots alongside the and-one play of Manuel to finally seal the game.

 

Pagsanjan posted a career-high 16 points and three boards to cruise Pangasinan to its fifth win against one loss in the single round-robin elimination phase of the tourney. Manuel contributed 15 points while Bong Galanza added 13 points and 3 rebounds.

 

For Batangas, Ablaza chalked up 22 markers and four rebounds, followed by the 16-point production of Cruz.

 

The fifth-seeded Pangasinan Heatwaves is set to defend its home turf against the first-seed Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards on April 25 at  the Calasiao Sports Complex. (Kim Gealogo)

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