The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards were forced into overtime before subduing the Pangasinan Heatwaves, 99-93, in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season late Saturday at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City.
Will McAloney posted 29 points, including 5 in the extra period, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks to earn the Daily Fantasy best player honors for powering Nueva Ecija to a 17-2 record in the round-robin elimination round of the 29-team tournament.
MJ Ayaay provided support with 18 points, 6 rebounds plus 3 assists, followed by Billy Robles with 13 points plus 17 rebounds, Rob Celiz with 13 points, 8 rebounds plus 3 assists, and John Wilson with 10 points plus 5 rebounds.
Just when the Rice Vanguards were ready to celebrate, Heatwave Ralph Robin drilled in a triple, his lone basket for the night, with 11 seconds left to forge the extension, 83-83.
Pangasinan, being mentored by former Nueva Ecija champion coach Jerson Cabiltes, dropped to 8-14 despite the 20-point, 8-rebound, 3-assist, 3-steal effort of Michael Juico, a former Rice Vanguard.
The Heatwaves also drew 13 points from Hesed Gabo and Michael Mabulac, both former Rice Vanguards.
While Nueva Ecija, the 2022 MPBL titlist, got tested, Batangas City Tanduay cruised to a 93-80 victory over Zamboanga Master Sardines earlier.
The Tanduay Rum Masters surged ahead at halftime, 43-23, and were never headed to climb to 15-7.
Philip Paniamogan chalked 21 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, 6 rebounds and 2 steals, Levi Hernandez tallied 16 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds, Darwin Lunor added 12 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, and Cedric Ablaza 12 points and 3 rebounds for Batangas.
Zamboanga, which slid to 16-5, got 15 points from Joseph Gabayni, 12 points plus 5 assists from Renzo Subido, 12 points plus 3 rebounds from Pedrito Galanza, and 10 points plus 7 rebounds from Ady Santos.
The Sarangani Marlins stunned the Davao Occidental Tigers, 67-61, in the opener to improve to 5-16.
The MNueva Ecija arlins were powered by Marvin Hayes with 12 points and 4 rebounds, Adven Jess Diputado with 11 points, 4 assists and 2 steals, and Coy Alves with 9 points and 5 rebounds.
Davao, which tumbled to 15-7, drew 15 points from Mark Tallo and 12 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists from Arth Dela Cruz.
The MPBL returns to the FilOIl Ecoil Centre on Monday, August 12, with games against Bulacan at 4 p.m., Pampanga against South Cotabato at 6 p.m., and Quezon Province against host San Juan at 8 p.m.
