Nueva Ecija Coliseum was packed to the rafters in anticipation of the showdown between their very own Rice Vanguards going up against fellow unbeaten team San Juan.
Unfortunately, only one of them remained unscathed by the end of the night and Roby Celiz and the rest of the Rice Vanguards made sure the local folks won’t go home disappointed.
Celiz caught fire late and delivered the baskets that mattered the most for Nueva Ecija, which overpowered San Juan,. 97-86, on Saturday as the Rice Vanguards streaked to their 11th straight win in as many games.
The Rice Vanguards are the only undefeated team in the MPBL 2025 Season and they dealt the Knights their first loss in 10 games.
Celiz scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half, including a three-point play down the stretch that practically took the fight out of San Juan. On top of his solid game offensively, Celiz also pulled down six boards.
The Rice Vanguards made a more conscious effort on attacking the basket as most of their points came from inside the shaded lane. Nueva Ecija scored 54 points inside the paint, 18 more than San Juan, which produced more points from players coming off the bench — 49 — compared to the host team’s 36.
Pangasinan, Zamboanga in contrasting wins
Pangasinan pulled away in the fourth quarter behind a solid game from Vic Manuel to hold off Pasay, 91-78, even as Zamboanga struggled but recovered its bearings before winning over Quezon City, 82-77.
Manuel, a key addition this season for the Heatwaves, knocked in 11 of his 14 markers in the second half, allowing Pangasinan to outscore Pasay, 27-15, in the fourth period. Lervin Flores added 11 points and was the only other Pangasinan player finishing in double figures.
But Pangasinan made it more difficult for Pasay’s big man, Warren Bonifacio, in getting his points as the burly but shifty forward was only good for nine points on just 4-of-16 shooting from the field.
Zamboanga Sikat made it five in a row and added Quezon City to its victims.
The Taipans threatened at 77-80 following two free throws and a jumper by Dave Bernabe, but James Sena countered with two charities to seal Zamboanga’s 10th win in 12 games.
Abdul Sawat led Zamboanga with 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, although he left the game in the homestretch after dislocating a finger.
