MPBL: Nueva Ecija, Batangas, Davao Occidental post wins
MANILA, Philippines — Nueva Ecija and Batangas handily won while Davao Occidental bested Cebu, 64-59, on Monday in the Manny Pacquiao presents MPBL 2025 Season at the Batangas City Coliseum.
The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards routed the Quezon City Galeries Taipan, 94-38; while the Batangas City Rum Masters trounced the Bulacan Kuyas, 81-69, in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team, two-division tournament.
The Rice Vanguards cruised to their 25th win against two losses, tying the San Juan Knights and inching closer to the Abra Solid North Weavers (24-1) in the North Division as well as the overall standings of the 30-team, two-division tournament.
Despite resting their key players, the Rum Masters climbed to 19-9 in the South Division, behind only the Quezon Huskers (23-4) in the jostling for playoff positions.
In a do-or-die situation, Davao held Cebu scoreless in the last 1:57 while coming through with 8 points, five by Joseph Terso, to climb to 10-15 and overtake Cebu (10-18) in the chase for the last play-in slot in the South.
Jeff Comia led Davao with 23 points plus 13 rebounds; followed by homegrown Joseph Salubre with 10 points plus five rebounds; and Terso with 10 points plus three rebounds.
Cebu drew 15 points plus 13 rebounds from Mark Meneses; 12 points plus four rebounds from Paul Desiderio; and 10 points plus five rebounds from Jan Jamon, who, however, missed all eight triple attempts, including two in the homestretch.
Darwin Lunor led Batangas with 13 points plus six rebounds; MJ Dela Virgen with 12 points plus three rebounds; and homegrowns VJ Alarcon, with 11 points, four rebounds and three assists, and Nikki Perez, with 10 points plus six rebounds.
Also-ran Bulacan tumbled to 3-23 despite Marlon Monte's 17 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
Nueva Ecija, the 2022 MPBL champion, tightened the noose in the third quarter, coming through with 20 points while holding also-ran Quezon City to five points for a season-low output and a 7-19 slate.
Byron Villarias posted 15 points and two steals; Jammer Jamito 14 points and seven rebounds; and Jaycee Marcelino 11 points, five assists and two rebounds as 14 of the 15 Rice Vanguards fielded in by Coach Don Dulay contributed.
Robby Celiz supported with eight points, five rebounds, five assists; followed by John Wilson, Tyron Chan, Will McAloney and Mer Jesper Ayaay with seven points each; and Christian Manaytay with 10 rebounds, four steals and two points.
No Taipan was able to tally double digits, with Nino Ibanez managing nine points plus four rebounds.
The MPBL returns to the Paco Arena on Tuesday, with games pitting Mindoro against Pangasinan at 4 p.m., Zamboanga against Binan at 6 p.m., and Manila against Valenzuela at 8 p.m.
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