Nueva Ecija used a potent 14-man rotation to trounce Imus, 105-74, on Tuesday, May 7, and share the lead in the PBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

With majority of their first stringers back in harness, the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards stormed ahead by as far as 79-37 before cruising to their fourth straight win in the elimination round of the 29-team tournament. Also with 4-0 cards are the Quezon Huskers and the San Juan Knights.

Billy Robles led the Rice Vanguards, the 2022 national champions, with 16 points and six rebounds, followed by John Paul Maguilano with 14 points, two rebounds and two assists.

Other major contributors for Nueva Ecjia were Robby Celiz with 10 points, five rebounds and four assists and Chris Bitoon with 10 points, five assists and four rebounds.

All of the players fielded by Nueva Ecija Coach Don Dulay contributed at least 4 points, with Ryan Costelo chipping in nine plus five rebounds and four assists.

JB Bahio and Will McAloney, on the other hand, snagged nine rebounds each for Nueva Ecija, which ruled the boards, 55-48, and proved more cohesive with 39 assists against only 15 for Imus.

Imus Agimat VA Drones, which absorbed its sixth straight defeat, got 22 points and eight rebounds from John Ray Sumido, 16 points and 11 rebounds from Luis Taperio and 10 points plus three rebounds and two steals from homegrown Kobe Camacho.

The Rice Vanguards also showed their shooting prowess, sinking 40 of 79 field goal attempts for a high 50.6 percent conversion. In contrast, Imus could only convert 25 of 61 tires for 30.9 percent.

The MPBL goes to the Cuneta Astrodome on Wednesday with a triple bill pitting Batangas against Negros at 4 p.m., Bulacan against South Cotabato at 6 p.m. and Rizal against Pasay at 8 p.m.