THE Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards led from the start and subdued the Bataan Risers, 94-78 , on Tuesday to forge a three-way tie for the lead in the MPBL 2025 Season at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Nueva Ecija, the 2022 MPBL titlist, climbed to 19-1 (win-loss), the same as 2019 champion San Juan and Abra Solid North in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
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Jaycee Marcelino posted 20 points and 4 assists to clinch Best Player honors over Will McAloney, who had 15 points and 6 rebounds, and Rob Celiz, with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
The Rice Vanguards surged ahead, 83-63, midway through the fourth quarter and pulled down the Risers to 7-14 despite Yves Sazon’s 19 points and Alfred Flores’ 10 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.
Quezon City Galeries Taipan trounced Bacolod, 85-73, in the opener to improve to 6-14.
John Edcel Rojas paced the Taipans with 11 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists; followed by Dave Bernabe with 12 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks; and Nino Ibanez with 12 points and 2 assists.
Bacolod tumbled to 2-18 despite Jayvee Sam Adjei’s 14 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists, and Mart James Barrera’s 14 points and 6 rebounds.
The MPBL returns to Ynares Center Montalban on Wednesday with games pitting Valenzuela against Bulacan at 4 p.m., Pasig against Muntinlupa at 6 p.m., and host Rizal Province against Quezon Province at 8 p.m.
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