Pasay rebounds with victory over Ilagan Isabela

The Pasay Voyagers returned to the win column after holding off the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys, 75-68, on Monday in the 2026 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Season at the Paco Arena in Manila.

Christian Fajarito and Nash Enriquez came through in the fourth quarter as Pasay turned back Ilagan's late charge to bounce back from its 77-74 defeat to Biñan Tatak Gel last Friday.

Fajarito ignited the decisive run with a thunderous two-handed dunk followed by a coast-to-coast layup that stretched the Voyagers' lead to 72-61. Enriquez then knocked down a clutch three-pointer with 1:14 remaining to put the game out of reach and lift Pasay to its ninth win in 16 outings.

Enriquez was named Best Player of the Game after finishing with 16 points, including a perfect 2-of-2 from beyond the arc, while also handing out eight assists. Fajarito nearly recorded a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds to go along with three assists and three steals.

Rence Alcoriza added 12 points, three steals, and two rebounds, while homegrown talent Brian Hilario chipped in nine points and five rebounds. Edmund Dela Cruz also made his presence felt with eight points and nine rebounds.

Ilagan raced to a 19-11 lead after the opening quarter but struggled offensively in the second period, scoring just six points as Pasay took control behind the combined scoring of Enriquez and Alcoriza.

The Cowboys mounted one last rally in the fourth quarter, with Robby Celiz scoring six unanswered points to cut the deficit to 66-60. Lean Martel responded with a one-handed slam before Fajarito and Enriquez delivered the key baskets that secured the victory.

Celiz led Ilagan with 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Art Dela Cruz contributed 16 points and seven rebounds, while Alex Cabagnot finished with 14 points, four assists, three steals, and two rebounds as the Cowboys slipped to 9-6.

Earlier in the second half, Alcoriza scored six consecutive points to open the third quarter, helping Pasay build its biggest lead of the game at 42-25.

The MPBL continues on Tuesday at the Ynares Sports Arena, where Bulacan faces Rizal at 4 p.m., San Juan takes on Bataan at 6 p.m., and Quezon Province battles host Pasig at 8 p.m.