Nueva Ecija continued to run hot with a 71-54 rout of Batangas in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2025 Season at the Governor Andres B. Bernos Memorial Gymnasium in Bangued, Abra.

The Rice Vanguards cruised to their 13th straight win and kept the pace in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.

The Abra Solid North Weavers subdued the Quezon Huskers, 63-53, in the nightcap to seize the solo second spot with a 12-1 card.

Powered by Byron Villarias, Robby Celiz and Jammer Jamito, Nueva Ecija led as far as 59-38 and boosted its drive toward regaining the MPBL crown it clinched in 2022.

Celiz finished with 14 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals; Villarias with 15 points, two rebounds and two assists; Jamito with 12 points; and Will McAloney with 8 points and seven rebounds, compensating for Jaycee Marcelino's five points, five assists, four steals and two rebounds output.

The Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters ruled the boards, 51-38, but still fell to 7-6 due to the 21 turnovers they committed against nine for the Rice Vanguards.

Batangas got 11 points, six rebounds and two blocks from John Ambulodto, 10 points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks from Levi Hernandez, eight points, three rebounds and two assists from Ced Ablaza, and six points, 10 rebounds and five assists from Jeckster Apinan.