BATAAN stunned Binan, 73-62, while Nueva Ecija and Batangas cruised to victories on Tuesday in the MPBL 2025 Season at the Orion Sports Complex in Bataan.
The Bataan Risers raised their record to 8-14 and remain in contention for a playoff spot in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
Nueva Ecija routed Pasig, 91-67, in the opener, while Batangas battered slumping Muntinlupa, 89-68, in the second game.
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Already assured of a playoff spot, the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards climbed to 20-1 and regained a share of the lead with fellow North Division powerhouses San Juan Knights and the Abra Solid North Weavers.
Hubert Cani drilled in a triple and a fallaway, while Laurenz Capulong drove in from the side to seal Bataan's win, 71-62, with 33.4 seconds left.
The 5-foot-11 Cani, a former Far Eastern University Tamaraw, posted 13 points and 3 rebounds and was chosen the game's Best Player over Yves Sazon, who had 14 points and 4 rebounds, Capulong with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists, and Mitchelle Maynes with 11 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists.
Binan saw its four-game run broken and dropped to 13-8 despite Kenny Roger Rocaurva's 16 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists, Marc Pingris' 10 points plus 9 rebounds, and Warren Bonifacio's 8 points plus 9 rebounds.
With five players contributing twin digits, the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters surged ahead, 80-51, en route to its 13th win against 8 losses.
Levi Hernandez led Batangas with 16 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds, followed by John Ambulodto with 12 points and 6 rebounds, Philip Paniamogan with 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, Jhong Baloria with 11 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, and Dawn Ochea with 10 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
Muntinlupa tasted its ninth straight defeat and tumbled to 10-11 as only Gryann Mendoza and Miggy Corteza struck back with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Twins Jayvee and Jaycee Marcelino presided over the Nueva Ecija offense alongside Jesper Ayaay and Billy Robles.
Jayvee Marcelino posted 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals, while Jaycee, the 2022 MPBL MVP, tallied 10 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 assists.
Ayaay contributed 13 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists, while Robles chipped in 13 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
Pasig dropped to 8-13 as only six players, led by Jerome Garcia, scored. Garcia finished with 18 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists; Warlo Batac chalked up 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, Mark Montuano netted 12 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists; and Chito Jaime 10 points plus 10 rebounds.
The MPBL returns to the Cuneta Astrodome on Thursday, with games pitting Paranaque against Pangasinan at 4 p.m., Cebu against Marikina at 6 p.m., and host Pasay against Quezon City at 8 p.m.
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