THE Quezon Huskers found a savior in Judel Fuentes to subdue the Iloilo United Royals, 71-61, and gain the solo lead in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Caloocan Sports Complex.

With the count tied at 58, Fuentes bunched 9 points in 1 minute and 32 seconds, enabling the Huskers to finally ward off the Royals, 67-61, and tally their 13th straight win in as many starts in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.

The Huskers moved ahead of the Nueva Ecija Warriors, who are also unbeaten at 12-0.

With Fuentes taken out after piling 15 points in the fourth quarter, Jason Opiso and Ximone Sandagon took over with back-to-back drives, handing Iloilo its 9th loss in 14 games.

Sandagon wound up with 19 points and 5 rebounds, followed by Fuentes with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, and Opiso with 9 points plus 8 rebounds.

Iloilo got 15 points from Gwyne Capacio and 13 points, 6 rebounds, plus 5 assists from CJ Cansino.

The South Cotabato Warriors clustered 10 points in the fourth quarter and bested the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo, 73-65, in the nightcap to climb to 11-4.

That spurt, presided over by Chris Dumapig pushed South Cotabato ahead, 73-65, from an 8-point deficit to Caloocan, which fell to 7-5.

Enzo Joseo paced South Cotabato with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, followed by Christian Fajarito with 16 points and 5 rebounds, Jammer Jamito with 12 points plus 7 rebounds, and Dumapig with 10 points plus 9 rebounds.

Caloocan got 18 points and 6 rebounds from Reil Cervantes and 10 points plus 4 rebounds from Joseph Manlangit.

The Negros Muscovados bested the Mindoro Tamaraws, 68-64, in the opener to break a five-game skid and improve to 5-10.

Jeremy Cruz and Renz Palma scored 17 and 16 points, respectively, for Negros, but it was Jan Formento who was chosen best player after contributing 12 points for the Muscovados.

Mindoro, which dropped to 4-11, got 18 points from homegrown Jhon Jerrick Caspe, 14 points plus 9 rebounds from Ken Bono and 11 points from Tey Teodoro.

The MPBL goes to the Olivarez College Gym with a triple bill pitting Bicol against Sarangani at 4 p.m., Imus against Zamboanga at 6 p.m. and Paranaque against Rizal at 8 p.m.