Heatwaves torch Rice Vanguards, advance to MPBL semis

Hesed Gabo drove in for the buzzer-beater as the Pangasinan Heatwaves stunned the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, 82-80, on Tuesday and advanced to the semifinal round in the Manny Pacquiao's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League playoffs at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City.

Pangasinan won their quarterfinal series opener, 86-85, at the same venue before Nueva Ecija forced the Game 3 decider with an 82-62 in the second game at Ynares Center Montalban.

Gabo wound up with 15 points, five assists and three rebounds as he lived up to the expectations of Pangasinan coach Jerson Cabiltes, who was seen tapping his head in the homestretch of the game watched by an overflow crowd.

Veteran Vic Manuel also shone for Pangasinan with 15 points, including eight straight that pushed Pangasinan ahead, 69-68, three rebounds and three assists.

Other Heatwaves who turned hot for Cabiltes, who steered Pangasinan to the MPBL national title in 2022, were Jorey Napoles with 13 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two assists, Allyn Bulanadi with 12 points, three rebounds and two assists, Pedito Galanza with nine points, three assists and two steals, and Michael Mabulac with seven points, seven rebounds and three assists.