Are powers Zamboanga SiKat past Pasig in thrilling MPBL clash

Zamboanga SiKat rode the late-game brilliance of Paeng Are to edge Pasig, 91-89, on Thursday in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season at the Malolos Convention Center in Bulacan.

The 5-foot-9 former San Sebastian Golden Stags star erupted for 16 fourth-quarter points, helping Zamboanga snap a five-game skid and improve to 2-7 in the elimination round of the 28-team, two-division tournament.

Deadlocked at 81-all, Joshua Lazaro sparked a decisive run with a jumper before Are calmly knocked down five consecutive free throws, stretching Zamboanga’s lead to 88-81 with just 1:24 left in the game.

Aside from his clutch scoring, Are finished with eight assists, five rebounds, and three steals. Reggz Gabat also delivered a strong performance with 19 points highlighted by five three-pointers, along with five rebounds and three assists.

John Arthur Calisay contributed 11 points, two rebounds, and two assists, while Lazaro anchored Zamboanga’s dominance on the glass with 12 rebounds as the team outrebounded Pasig, 50-32.

Pasig, meanwhile, absorbed its second loss of the season and fell to 6-2, ending its four-game winning streak despite solid outings from Jacob Galicia, who tallied 19 points and nine rebounds, Jerome Garcia with 18 points, and Warlo Batac, who added 16 points and six rebounds.

Earlier in the game, Gabat buried consecutive triples to put Zamboanga ahead, 41-38, before Galicia answered with a putback to trim the deficit entering halftime.

The MPBL action continues Friday at the Paco Arena in Manila with Parañaque facing Valenzuela at 4 p.m., GenSan taking on Cebu at 6 p.m., and Manila battling Abra at 8 p.m.