THE Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards overpowered the Muntinlupa Cagers, 86-57, on Wednesday to gain a share the lead in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season elimination round at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
With 12 of its 14 players scoring, Nueva Ecija led by as far as 86-57 en route to its eighth straight win in as many starts, the same card as San Juan and Quezon Province.
John Paul Maguilano paced the 2022 MPBL champions, with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal, followed by JC Cullar with 10 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals.
Other Rice Vanguards who delivered for coach Don Dulay were Emman Calo with 9 points, Mer Jesper Ayaay with 8 points, and Will McAloney with 8 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
Hounded by poor 17-for-57 shooting, the Cagers suffered their 8th loss against only 2 victories.
Muntinlupa got 14 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists from Alfred Flores, 10 points and 4 rebounds from Joshua Miguel Marcos and 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals from Rocky Acidre.
The MPBL visits the WES Arena in Valenzuela on Thursday with games pitting Pasay against Binan at 4 p.m., Rizal against Manila at 6 p.m. and Davao against Valenzuela at 8 p.m.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
