Nueva Ecija takes Game 1of MPBL Finals

MANILA, Philippines — Nueva Ecija leaned on Hesed Gabo’s timely explosion to subdue Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines, 81-75, in the opener of their OKbet-MPBL Season 4 best-of-five finals last Friday at the jampacked Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City.

The crack guard poured in 18 of his game-high 22 points in the fourth quarter.

Gabo, a former Mapua Cardinal, also grabbed six rebounds and issued six assists to earn best player honors and frustrate the Zamboangueños, who gamely battled the favored Rice Vanguards from the get-go.

John Bryon Villarias also shone for Nueva Ecija with 19 points while Michael Mabulac contributed 14 points and five rebounds before fouling out with 1:25 to go. Will McAloney also did his part with 11 points and five rebounds for the Rice Vanguards of coach Jerson Cabiltes.

Nueva Ecija unleashed a 9-1 run closing the third quarter for a 56-48 lead.

Zamboanga, however, retaliated with a seven-point bomb, through Jaycee Marcelino and Jhapz Bautista, to tighten the game once again, 55-56.

Zambanga forged the last deadlock at 60, only to be met by a Villarias triple and two charities by Gabo that set the tone for the finish.

Nueva Ecija will shoot for a commanding 2-0 lead tomorrow at the same venue before the best-of-five playoffs moves to Zamboanga on Dec.9.