NUEVA Ecija and Batangas handily won while Davao Occidental bested Cebu, 64-59, on Monday in Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-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 minute and 57 seconds 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 5 rebounds, and Terso with 10 points plus 3 rebounds.
Cebu drew 15 points plus 13 rebounds from Mark Meneses, 12 points plus 4 rebounds from Paul Desiderio and 10 points plus 5 rebounds from Jan Jamon, who, however, missed all eight triple attempts, including two in the homestretch.
Darwin Lunor led Batangas with 13 points plus 6 rebounds, MJ Dela Virgen with 12 points plus 3 rebounds, and homegrowns VJ Alarcon, with 11 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, and Nikki Perez, with 10 points plus 6 rebounds.
Also-ran Bulacan tumbled to 3-23 despite Marlon Monte’s 17 points, 9 rebounds and 9 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 2 steals, Jammer Jamito 14 points and 7 rebounds, and Jaycee Marcelino 11 points, 5 assists and 2 rebounds as 14 of the 15 Rice Vanguards fielded in by Coach Don Dulay contributed.
Robby Celiz supported with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, followed by John Wilson, Tyron Chan, Will McAloney and Mer Jesper Ayaay with 7 points each; and Christian Manaytay with 10 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 points.
No Taipan was able to tally double digits, with Nino Ibanez managing 9 points plus 4 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.
