Star Magic Team Shooting Stars' Argel Saycon. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines – The Star Magic Team Shooting Stars survived a late scare from Team Anbilibabol to emerge triumphant in the men's basketball match of the All-Star Games 2025, 73-70, on Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Despite leading the entire game, the Shooting Stars showed signs of vulnerabilities late, losing what was once a 15-point lead to Team Payaman, led by Lincoln Cortez Velasquez, better known as "Cong TV".
They eventually tied at 65-all in the fourth frame, giving thrill to a game which seemed to be a getaway win for the Kapamilya personalities.
But the Star Magic team stayed composed, finding the right stops to fend off the rally of its rivals.
In the dying moments of the game, with the Shooting Stars on top 72-70 with 24 seconds remaining, the Anbilibabol side tried to steal the game with two triple attempts, but both shots unfortunately went out for them.
In the battle for the lose ball, as Mendoza fought for the rebound position, he was called for an offensive foul after a push on Donny Pangilinan, gifting the possession to the Star Magic crew.
Shooting Stars' Argel Saycon then split his free throws after a duty foul was dealt on him, 3.1 ticks left.
Anbilibabol again went to the lefty Mendoza for a game-tying triple, to no avail as former "PBB housemate" River Joseph grabbed the defensive rebound, sealing the win for the Shooting Stars.
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Saycon fired a double-double of 16 points, 11 rebounds, and added four steals, while JV Kapunan tallied 13 points and six assists.
Pangilinan, who asserted his presence in the paint throughout the game, had a near double-double of 10 points and nine rebounds.
Patrick Bernal paced the losing side with 20 points and seven rebounds, while Mendoza registered 16 markers.
Here are the individual awardees:
Mythical Five members: Argel Saycon, JV Kapunan, and Donny Pangilinan of Shooting Stars; Nelson Mendoza and Patrick Bernal of Team Anbilibabol
MVP is Argel Saycon; Rookie of the Year is JM Ibarra