Streaking Nueva Ecija kept the top spot while reigning champion Pampanga stayed nearby in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2025 Season on Wednesday at the Caloocan Sports Complex.

The Rice Vanguards dominated the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo, 73-53, in the nightcap, while the Giant Lanterns foiled the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys, 77-72, in the second game of a tripleheader.

Nueva Ecija pounced on misfiring Caloocan to lead by as far as 55-29 and cruise to its seventh straight win in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.

Flashing the form that made him the 2022 Most Valuable Player, Jaycee Marcelino posted 16 points, six steals, five rebounds and three steals for the Rice Vanguards, who are bidding to regain the national crown they won in 2022.

Will McAloney provided support with 12 points, eight rebounds and two assists, followed by Byron Villarias with 11 points plus four rebounds, and Jayvee Marcelino with seven points and eight assists.

The Rice Vanguards made 26 of 53 field goal attempts, while the Batang Kankaloo could only connect on 21 of 66 tries.

Caloocan tumbled to 4-2 as no Batang Kankaloo finished in twin digits, with Jeff Manday contributing nine points and Jeramer Cabanag and Chris Bitoon seven each.

Pampanga met stiff resistance from Ilagan Isabela since the start but got a lift from John Lloyd Clemente, Larry Muyang and Andre Armenion in the second half to tally its fifth win in six starts and catch up with Abra, Pangasinan, Rizal Xentromall, Zamboanga SiKat and Quezon Province.

Other unbeaten teams thus far are San Juan (4-0), Muntinlupa (3-0) and Pasig (1-0).