Nueva Ecija Rice subdued Mindoro, 104-72, to grab the solo lead in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2025 Season at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Pasay City.

Gathering strength as the game wore on, the Rice Vanguards posted their biggest spread at the final buzzer for their fourth straight win in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.

Recruit Christian Manaytay, veterans Robby Celiz and John Wilson and Mer Jesper Ayaay found their mark for Nueva Ecija, which outgunned Mindoro from long distance, 12 against six triples.

Manaytay, a 6-foot-5 former University Santo Tomas star, tallied 15 points, including two triples, five rebounds and two assists and was chosen Best Player over Celiz, with 13 points and five rebounds, John Wilson, with 13 points and four rebounds, and Ayaay, 12 points, highlighted by a perfect 3 of 3 triples, and two assists.

Other Rice Vanguards who delivered were Byron Villarias with eight points, former Most Valuable Player Jaycee Marcelino, Will McAloney and Ralph Tansingco with seven points each.

Trailing Nueva Ecija, the 2022 MPBL champion, is reigning back-to-back titlist Pampanga, last year’s losing finalist Quezon Province, and Rizal Xentromall with 3-0 records.

Mindoro, which tumbled to 1-3, could only get 10 points each from Wendelino Comboy, Axel Inigo and Bambam Gamalinda.

Debuting San Juan struggled past Cebu, 63-61, in the second game.

The Cebu Classic muffed two chances to force overtime, with Dennis Santos muffing a layup and Limuel Tampos missing the follow-up in the last 5.3 seconds.

Groping for form, the San Juan Knights trailed after three quarters, 43-49, before Dexter Maiquez poured 11 of his game-high 16 points in the fourth to emerge best player and bail out the 2019 national champions.