NUEVA Ecija blew a big lead but squeaked past Zamboanga Master Sardines, 83-80, on Saturday and shared top spot in the MBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season elimination round at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City.
Ahead, 79-66, with 2 minutes and 51 seconds left, the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards got rattled as the Zamboanguenos threatened at 80-82 with 11.1 seconds to go.
Nueva Ecija center Rob Celiz then split his two free throws for the final tally as Zamboanga’s Ady Santos missed two charities and Renzo Subido’s potential game-tying triple rimmed out at the buzzer.
The Rice Vanguards stretched their unbeaten run to 10 and caught up with the Quezon Huskers at the helm of the 29-team tournament. The San Juan Knights are right behind them with a 9-0 card.
In other games, Muntinlupa bested Bacolod, 80-74, to improve to 4-8, while Bataan got back on track with a 93-61 drubbing of Imus.
Will McAloney paced Nueva Ecija, the 2022 MPBL champion, with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks, followed by Emman Calo with 15 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists.
Celiz posted 12 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals while Chris Bitoon tallied 12 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists for Coach Don Dulay.
Alfred Flores accounted for 21 points, 14 in the fourth quarter, and 6 rebounds while Joshua Miguel Marcos contributed 19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks for the Muntinlupa Cagers.
