Nueva Ecija and Rizal Xentromall notched contrasting wins on Saturday to join the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season pacesetters at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City.
The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards held the Basilan Viva Portmasters without a field goal in the last 6 minutes and 57 seconds to prevail, 71-66, in the nightcap and climb to 2-0 in the round-robin elimination round of the 30-team tournament.
The Rizal Golden Coolers toted the same card following an impressive 111-81 pounding of Manila Batang Quiapo, 111-81, earlier.
Also at 2-0 are the Pangasinan Heatwaves and the Abra Weavers.
Rob Celiz led Nueva Ecija, the 2022 MPBL champion, with 18 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 1 block, clinching best player honors over Jaycee Marcelino, who posted 18 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals.
Will McAloney backed them with 7 points and 9 rebounds, and so did John Wilson and Jayvee Marcelino with 7 points each.
Basilan, which fell to 0-2, led for the last time at 62-61, following two free throws by Sherwin Concepcion with 5 minutes and 28 seconds to go.
The Portmasters, however, couldn’t buy a bucket after that, settling for two charities each by Jeff Viernes and Emman Calo against the 10 points pooled by McAloney, the Marcelino twins, John Byron Villarias and Billy Robles.
Basilan got 19 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists from Alex Cabagnot, 11 points plus 4 rebounds from Concepcion, and 10 points plus 2 rebounds from Rabeh Al-Hussaini. Arwind Santos settled for 4 points plus 11 rebounds.
Alday sparkled for Rizal with 27 points, from 7 triples and 6 charities, 4 rebounds and 2 assists to edge Michael Canete, who tallied 16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists, for best player honors.
