NEUVA Ecija crushed Manila, 113-83, on Thursday and cruised to the top spot of the Manny Pacquiao presents 1Xbet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.
Flaunting the depth and firepower of their roster, the Rice Vanguards zoomed to a 31-13 spread and were never threatened en route to their third straight win in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
All but one of 15 players fielded by coach Don Dulay managed to score, with Rob Celiz spearheading he assault with 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.
Jammer Jamito contributed 15 points and four rebounds, Jaycee Marcelino notched 13 points, nine assists, and four rebounds, Ryan Costelo got 11 points, four assists, and three rebounds, and John Byron Villarias had 10 points, two rebounds, and two assists for Nueva Ecija, the 2022 national champion.
With Celiz at the helm, the Rice Vanguards erected an 84-48 spread late in the third quarter, pulling down the Batang Quiapo to 1-2 despite Richard Albo's 20-point, 4-rebound output.
Homegrown Johnrey Chongpico added 11 points to Manila's futile stand, followed by Algin Andaya, Yvan Ludovice, and John Derico Lopez with 10 each.
Basilan, Bataan winners, as well
Earlier, Basilan Viva rallied to force overtime and nipped Valenzuela, 82-80.
Jeff Viernes wound up with 16 points, eight rebounds, and four assists and Gab Dagangon ended with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists for the Portmasters, who halted their slide and tied their victims at 1-2.
Behind 67-60, Basilan poured 10 points and held the Classics to just two in the last three and a half minutes to knot the count at 69.
The Portmasters could have won outright, but veteran Alex Cabagnot missed his second free throw after making the first with 1.9 seconds left, giving Valenzuela a reprieve.
Dagangon then fired seven points in the extension, as Basilan turned back the Classics, who leaned on Jan Fomento's 10 points, all from charities.
READ: Bataan Risers finally break MPBL duck by besting Cebu Classic
Bataan, meanwhile, woke up in the third quarter and bested Cebu, 79-69.
The MPBL returns to the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Friday with games pitting Sarangani against Quezon City at 4 p.m., General Santos City against Pampanga at 6 p.m., and Rizal Xentromall against Batangas City Tanduay at 8 p.m.
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