THE Pangasinan Heatwaves slipped past the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys in a gutsy finish, 96-94, in the 7^th Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League held March 22 at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.

Vic Manuel provided an early spark for the Heatwaves, notching up nine points, but the Cowboys’ Allen Mina and Allan Santos countered with an 11-point cluster to forge a lead, 15-17.

During the second frame, Heatwaves’ Michael Mabulac feasted underneath the rim with his 8-point and 3-rebound effort to rally. However, the Cowboys fought back with four three-point conversions to retain the advantage, 40-35.

A series of back-and-forth unfurled in the third with three deadlocks and four lead changes. Hesed Gabo found his rhythm and dropped 12 points through his key drives for Pangasinan to equalize, 68-68.

Trailing at 82-90 with over two minutes left in the game clock, Pangasinan drew a 7-point cluster to cut the deficit, 87-90 but Ilagan extended the gap to 92-87 on split free throws of Mina and Joshua Guiab.

The Heatwaves responded with inside connections of Mabulac and Joshua Fontanilla and a triple from Bong Galanza to take a 94-92 lead, but Ilagan knotted the score at 94 all on a layup by Guiab.

With 10 seconds remaining, Mabulac scored a go-ahead basket in the painted area to clinch Pangasinan’s third win of the season.

Pangasinan rode on the clutch performance of Mabulac with 23 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Gabo added 15 points while Manuel tallied 13 markers.

Ilagan amassed 19 points from Mina, reinforced with a double-double production of Art Dela Cruz with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

The Pangasinan Heatwaves remained at the fourth seed with 3-1 win-loss record in the Northern Division standings of the season. (Kim Gealogo)

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