Nueva Ecija shares lead
Nueva Ecija shared the lead while Valenzuela gained traction in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season elimination round on Thursday, May 23, at the WES Arena in Valenzuela City.
Showing depth and cohesion, the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards routed Bacolod City of Smiles, 95-77, to raise its record to 7-0 and join the San Juan Knights and the Quezon Huskers at the top of the 29-team tournament.
Playing at their home court for the first time this year, the Valenzuela Classics trounced the Bulacan Kuyas, 9870, and climbed to 6-4 in the standings.
All 14 Rice Vanguards were fielded and scored as the 2022 MPBL champions led by as many as 90-68 and were never threatened by the Bacolenos, who dropped to 1-8.
Billy Robles paced Nueva Ecija with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block, followed by JB Bahio, who posted 11 points, 12 rebounds plus 4 assists, and Rob Celiz with 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks.
Bacolod got 14 points from Jacob Galicia and 12 from Danny Marilao.
It was the same story for Valenzuela, which stormed ahead, 98-68, through the efforts of Ryan Trazona, Michael Angelo Macion and Fil-am CJ Payawal.
Trazona tallied 16 points, spiked by 3 triples, Macion posted 13 points plus six rebounds, and Payawal chalked 13 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Homegrown Jameson Hiro and Darell Manliguez chipped in eight points each for the Classics.
Bulacan skidded to 1-9 despite the 32-point, 7-rebound, 7-assists effort of former Valenzuela star Paolo Hubalde and the 11-point contribution of Ralph Manzo.
In the opener, Muntinlupa bunched 11 points in the third quarter to subdue Sarangani, 75-71,and catch up with
its victim at 2-7.