Nueva Ecija shared the lead while Batangas showed its depth on Wednesday, May 28, in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season elimination round at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
As expected, the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards overpowered the Muntinlupa Cagers, 86-57, in the opener to tally their eighth straight victory and join San Juan and Quezon Province at the helm of the 29-team tournament.
The Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters, on the other hand, bucked the absence of four key players to subdue the Bataan Risers, 73-69, in the nightcap.
Bulacan, powered by the 34-point explosion of Nino Ibanez and the double-double of Kristan Hernandez, bested Bacolod City, 94-82, to climb to 2-9, a rung above its victim which fell to 1-9.
Despite missing Levi Hernandez, Cedrick Ablaza, Jeckster Apinan and MJ Dela Virgen due to various injuries, Batangas still managed to control the tempo of the game and even surged ahead, 51-37, midway through the fourth quarter.
Juneric Baloria, the lone starter left, carried the load for Batangas with 18 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, while CJ Isit backed him up with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists.
Other Rum Masters who delivered were Darwin Lunor with 9 points and 4 rebounds, Mark Cruz with 8 points, and Kris Porter and John Ambulodto with 7 points each.
The MPBL goes to the WES Arena in Valenzuela on Thursday with games pitting Pasay against Binan at 4 p.m., Rizal against Manila at 6 p.m. and Davao against Valenzuela at 8 p.m.
