NUEVA ECIJA was forced into overtime before subduing Pangasinan, 99-93, in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season on Saturday at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City.
Will McAloney posted 29 points, including five in the extra period, on top of nine rebounds, four assists, and two blocks to to power the Rice Vanguards to a 17-2 record in the round-robin eliminations of the 29-team tournament.
MJ Ayaay provided support with 18 points, six rebounds, plus three assists, followed by Billy Ray Robles with 13 points plus 17 rebounds, Robby Celiz with 13 points, eight rebounds, plus three assists, and John Wilson with 10 points plus five rebounds.
Just when the home team and its crowd were ready to celebrate, Heatwave Ralph Robin drilled a triple, his lone basket for the night, with 11 seconds left to forge the extension.
Pangasinan, mentored by former Nueva Ecija champion coach Jerson Cabiltes, dropped to 8-14 despite the 20-point, 8-rebound, 3-assist, 3-steal effort of Michael Juico and the 13 points each of Hesed Gabo and Michael Mabulac, all of whom were once Rice Vanguards themselves.
Big wins for Batangas and Sarangani
While Nueva Ecija, the 2022 MPBL titlist, got tested, Batangas City Tanduay cruised to a 93-80 victory over Zamboanga Master Sardines.
The Rum Masters surged ahead at halftime, 43-23, and were never threatened to climb to 15-7.
Philip Paniamogan chalked 21 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, six rebounds, and two steals; Levi Hernandez tallied 16 points, three assists, and three rebounds; Darwin Lunor added 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists; and Cedric Ablaza got 12 points and three rebounds for Batangas.
Zamboanga, which slid to 16-5, got 15 points from Joseph Gabayni, 12 points plus five assists from Renzo Subido, 12 points plus three rebounds from Bong Galanza, and 10 points plus seven rebounds from Ady Santos.
Meanwhile, Sarangani stunned Davao Occidental, 67-61, to improve to 5-16.
The Marlins were led by Marvin Hayes with 12 points and four rebounds, Rev Diputado with 11 points, four assists, and two steals, and Coy Alves with nine points and five rebounds.
The Tigers, who tumbled to 15-7, drew 15 points from Mac Tallo and 12 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists from Arth Dela Cruz.
The MPBL returns to the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Monday, with games pitting Bulacan against at 4 p.m., Pampanga against South Cotabato at 6 p.m., and Quezon Province against San Juan at 8 p.m.
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