Nueva Ecija and San Juan swept their semifinal rivals in contrasting fashions on Friday and arranged a North division championship collision in the OKbet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 4th Season Presented by Xtreme at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards overcame stubborn resistance from Pampanga before prevailing, 89-84, while the San Juan Knights outlasted Pasig MCW Sports, 84-80, and cut short their respective best-of-three playoffs.
The unbeaten Rice Vanguards saw the Giant Lanterns grab the lead, 66-63, and threaten in the dying seconds, 85-854, but keep their composure to match their 104-89 triumph in the series opener and extend their record-winning streak to 25.
MJ Garcia scored back-to-back baskets to put Pampanga in position for an upset, but Nueva Ecija’s Hesed Gabo split his charities and Michael Juico completed a three-point play in the last 15 seconds to peg the final count.
In contrast, San Juan surged ahead, 44-26, in the second quarter and was never in trouble to duplicate its 88-68 conquest of Pasig in Game 1.
Michael Calisaan led the Knights with 18 points and 4 rebounds, followed by Dexter Maiquez with 12 points and 10 rebounds, Judel Fuentes with 12 points, 5 rebounds plus 4 assists and Ron Dennison with 11 points and 7 rebounds. It was Orlan Wamar, who earned best player honors, however, with 9 points and 13 assists for the Go for Gold-backed Knights of coach Randy Alcantara.
