Hesed Gabo drove in for the buzzer-beater as the Pangasinan Heatwaves stunned the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards again, 82-80, on Tuesday and advanced to the semifinal round in the 747.live presents Manny Pacquiao’s MPBL Playoffs and Finals 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, 5 assists and 3 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, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
Other Heatwaves who turned hot for Cabiltes, who steered Pangasinan to the MPBL national title in 2022, were Jorey Napoles with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists, Allyn Bulanadi with 12 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, Pedito Galanza with 9 points, 3 assists and 2 steals, and Michael Mabulac with 7 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
Nueva Ecija got 14 points and 16 rebounds from Will McAloney, 12 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists from Rob Celiz, 11 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals from Jaycee Marcelino, and 11 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists each from Jayvee Marcelino and John Bryon Villarias.
The first half ended with Nueva Ecija ahead, 42-40.
The MPBL quarterfinal round ends on Thursday, with Batangas City Tanduay and Zamboanga Sikat disputing the last semifinal slot in the South Division at 7 p.m. in Batangas.
Batangas won the series opener, 70-61, at the Batangas City Coliseum on Oct. 16, but Zamboanga exacted revenge in Game Two, 78-72, at Ynares Center Montalban on October 23 to force the Game Three decider.
