DEFENDING champion Nueva Ecija and returning Bulacan took contrasting victory routes in the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season at the Star Arena in Baliwag, Bulacan last Monday night.
The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards flaunted their depth in a 97-70 rout of the Laguna Heroes while the Bulacan Kuyas banked on Levi Dela Cruz’s heroics to nip the Sarangani Marlins 75-73 and gain a share of the early lead in the 29-team league.
Out to prove that they’re still the team to beat, the Rice Vanguards employed their vaunted trapping defense to pull away in the third quarter 67-55 and never let up to post their biggest spread in the final buzzer.
All of the 15 players fielded by coach Jerson Cabiltes scored, with John Bryon Villarias showing the way with 17 points, 7 rebounds, 6 steals and 6 assists. He was supported by Renz Palma with 11 points and fellow gunner Jonathan Uyloan with 10.
Nueva Ecija, which lost to Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines in the 2023 MPBL Preseason Invitational final last month, also got 9 points each from Michael Juico and Stephen Siruma.
Laguna got 16 points from Francis Camacho and 14 apiece from Paolo Pontejos and Ivan Villanueva.
The 5-foot-7 Dela Cruz made the game’s last four points, the last two on a steal off Jeff Comia with 12.7 seconds left as the Bulacan Kuyas frustrated the Sarangani Marlins, who led at 66-58 in the fourth quarter.
Jerick Nacpil earned best player honors for Bulacan with 23 points and 5 rebounds. Dela Cruz, Daniel de Guzman and Buenaventura Raflores with 8 points each.
