![]() |
Michael Mabulac turns hot for the Pangasinan Heatwaves. MPBL |
BINAN--The Pangasinan Heatwaves turned hot from the start and torched the Bulacan Kuyas, 91-51, on Friday to grab the early lead in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Alonte Sports Arena.
Way ahead, 45-20, at the half, the Heatwaves kept on grinding behind Michael Mabulac, Michael Digregorio, and homegrown King Gurtiza to notch their second straight win in the round-robin elimination round of the 30-team tournament.
Mabulac tallied 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 assists to earn best player honors over Digregorio, who finished with 12 points and 2 rebounds, and Gurtiza, who notched 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals for Coach Jerson Cabiltes.
Vic Manuel flexed his muscles with 11 points and 4 rebounds, while Jerald Bautista chalked 8 points and 5 rebounds for the Heatwaves, who posted their biggest margin at the buzzer.
The Kuyas got 17 points and 8 rebounds from RR De Leon and 13 points plus 8 rebounds from Jebb Bulawan, but still got clobbered off the boards, 39-55.
Thriving underneath, the Heatwaves scored 52 points compared to only 28 for the Kuyas.
They also scored 23 points from turnovers, compared to only 7 for the Kuyas.