Streaking Nueva Ecija subdued Davao Occidental, 74-60, to grab the solo lead in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2025 Season at the Pola Gymnasium in Oriental Mindoro.

Jaycee Marcelino, Christian Manaytay and John Bryon Villarias provided the sustaining firepower as the Rice Vanguards posted their sixth straight win and moved ahead of the Rizal Xentromall Golden Coolers (5-0) in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.

Flashing the form that made him the 2022 MPBL Most Valuable Player, Marcelino pumped in eight points in the last quarter, Manaytay contributed five, and Villarias added four for Nueva Ecija, which kept its poise when Davao clawed to within 58-66.

The Rice Vanguards quelled the rally with a six-point cluster capped by a Marcelino fastbreak with 1:45 left.

Marcelino finished with 21 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals; Villarias tallied 13 points, six rebounds, three steals and two assists; and Mer Jesper Ayaay 10 points plus six rebounds.

Manaytay provided support with nine points, four rebounds and two steals, and so did Robby Celiz with eight points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals.

The Tigers fell to 1-1 as only Terrence Tumalip struck back with 16 points, seven assists and two steals.

Mindoro blanked Parañaque in the last 4:06 to squeeze out a 68-58 victory in the nightcap.

Trailing 56-58, the Mindoro Tamaraws got the push from Joseph Sedurifa’s two triples and Ethan Galang’s 2 charities, plus a jumper in a closing 13-point spurt to check a four-game skid and improve to 2-5 under Coach Rodney Santos.

Bambam Gamalinda led the Tamaraws with 18 points, six rebounds and two assists, followed by Wendelino Comboy with 14 points, three rebounds and three assists, and Galang with 11 points, two rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

Parañaque fell to 0-2 despite Alvin Capobres’ 19-point, 12-rebound effort, Carl Brian Cruz’s 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Ed Daquioag’s 10 points plus nine rebounds.