NUEVA Ecija continued to wax hot with a 71-54 rout of Batangas on Saturday in the MPBL 2025 Season at the Governor Andres B. Bernos Memorial Gymnasium in Bangued, Abra.
The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards cruised to their 13th straight win and kept the pace in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
Abra Weavers strike
The Abra Solid North Weavers subdued the Quezon Huskers, 63-53, in the nightcap to seize the solo second spot with a 12-1 card.
Powered by Byron Villarias, Robby Celiz and Jammer Jamito, Nueva Ecija led as far as 59-38 and boosted its drive toward regaining the MPBL crown it clinched in 2022.
Celiz finished with 14 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals; Villarias added 15 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists; Jamito with 12 points; and Will McAloney with 8 points and 7 rebounds. Jaycee Marcelino chipped in 5 points, 5 assists, 4 steals and 2 rebounds output.
The Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters ruled the boards, 51-38, but still fell to 7-6 due to the 21 turnovers they committed against nine for the Rice Vanguards.
Batangas got 11 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks from John Ambulodto, 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks from Levi Hernandez, 8 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists from Ced Ablaza, and 6 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists from Jeckster Apinan.
Like Nueva Ecija, Abra had a breezy victory over Quezon, last year's South Division champion and losing national finalist to Pampanga.
Serrano saves day
Powered by Dave Ildefonso and Encho Serrano, the Weavers surged ahead, 55-40, and weathered the Huskers' last assault, 50-57, capped by back-to-back triples by Christian Pagaran and Gab Banal with 3 minutes and 41 seconds left.
Serrano, however, drilled in a triple with 2 minutes and 29 seconds to go, pulling down the Huskers down to 10-3.
Ildefonso posted 25 points, including 14 in the third quarter, 5 rebounds and 3 steals; Serrano added 12 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists; and Marwin Taywan chipped in 10 points and 3 assists.
Quezon drew 15 points and 4 rebounds from Judel Fuentes, 12 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists from LJ Gonzales, and 9 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists from Pagaran.
Marikina scored the last four points in overtime and nipped Imus Braderhood, 104-101, in the opener.
The MPBL goes to the Paco Arena on Monday with games pitting Bacolod against Valenzuela at 4 p.m., Muntinlupa against Pangasinan at 6 p.m., and Quezon City against Pasig at 8 p.m.
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