Nueva Ecija foiled General Santos’ final assault to prevail, 83-76, and extend its lead in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2025 Season at The Capital Arena in Ilagan, Isabela.

The Warriors threatened at 75-77 with 2:54 seconds left, but the Rice Vanguards stood their ground, holding their foes to a free throw while coming through with six out of eight tries to seal their ninth straight win in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.

Ryan Costelo led Nueva Ecija with 16 points, but Billy Robles emerged as the Best Player by pouring all of his nine points in the fourth quarter and grabbing12 rebounds.

Other Rice Vanguards who delivered were Christian Manaytay with 10 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks, and John Wilson — the first MPBL player to tally 2,000 points — with 10 points, six rebounds and two assists.

Gensan fell to 4-5 despite homegrown Cristopher Masaglang’s 16 points, three rebounds and two steals, Kyle Tolentino’s 16 points, Nico Elorde’s 14 points, seven assists and two steals, and Marwin Dionisio’s 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Chasing Nueva Ecija, the 2022 national champion, in the race for playoff spots are 2019 winner San Juan (7-0), reigning back-to-back titlist Pampanga (8-1), last year’s losing finalist Quezon Province (8-1) and Abra Solid North (8-1).

Pampanga torched Pasig, 91-55, in the opener, while Ilagan Isabela stunned Batangas, 82-75, in the nightcap.

Powered by Arth dela Cruz, the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys pulled away at 79-66 en route to a 5-5 slate.

Dela Cruz wound up with 20 points, 12 in the fourth quarter, three assists and two steals, followed by Allen Mina with 15 points, four rebounds and six assists, Joshua Guiab with 15 points and three rebounds, and JR Olegario with 10 points, two assists and two steals.

Batangas, the 2018 inaugural MPBL titlist, slipped to 4-5 despite Levi Hernandez’s 25 points, four rebounds and two assists.