Nueva Ecija and Rizal Xentromall notched contrasting wins to join the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2025 Season pacesetters at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City late Saturday.
The Rice Vanguards held the Basilan Viva Portmasters without a field goal in the last 6:57 to prevail, 71-66, in the nightcap and climb to 2-0 in the round-robin elimination round of the 30-team tournament.
The Rizal Golden Coolers toted the same card following an impressive 111-81 pounding of Manila Batang Quiapo, 111-81, earlier.
Also at 2-0 are the Pangasinan Heatwaves and the Abra Weavers.
Rob Celiz led Nueva Ecija, the 2022 MPBL champion, with 18 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block, clinching Best Player honors over Jaycee Marcelino, who posted 18 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals.
Will McAloney backed them with seven points and nine rebounds, and so did John Wilson and Jayvee Marcelino with seven points each.
Basilan, which fell to 0-2, led for the last time at 62-61, following two free throws by Sherwin Concepcion with 5:28 to go.
The Portmasters, however, couldn’t buy a bucket after that, settling for two charities each by Jeff Viernes and Emman Calo against the 10 points pooled by McAloney, the Marcelino twins, John Byron Villarias and Billy Robles.
Basilan got 19 points, three rebounds and three assists from Alex Cabagnot, 11 points plus four rebounds from Concepcion, and 10 points plus two rebounds from Rabeh Al-Hussaini. Arwind Santos settled for four points plus 11 rebounds.
Alday sparkled for Rizal with 27 points, from seven triples and six charities, four rebounds and two assists to edge Michael Canete, who tallied 16 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two assists, for Best Player honors.
Rizal Coach Ralph Rivera also drew 11 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals from Marco Balagtas and 10 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals from Eric Camson.