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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Nueva Ecija grabs solo lead; Basilan, Mindoro trip rivals

Nueva Ecija grabs solo lead; Basilan, Mindoro trip rivals

Published Apr 6, 2025 05:18 am

At A Glance

  • Streaking Nueva Ecija subdued Davao Occidental, 74-60, on Saturday, April 5, to grab the solo lead in the MPBL 2025 Season at the Pola Gymnasium in Oriental Mindoro.

Streaking Nueva Ecija subdued Davao Occidental, 74-60, on Saturday, April 5, to grab the solo lead in the MPBL 2025 Season at the Pola Gymnasium in Oriental Mindoro.

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Bambam Gamalinda powers the Mindoro Tamaraws past the Paranaque Patriots, 68-58.

Jaycee Marcelino, Christian Manaytay and John Bryon Villarias provided the sustaining firepower as the Rice Vanguards posted their sixth straight win and moved ahead of the Rizal Xentromall Golden Coolers (5-0) in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.

Flashing the form that made him the 2022 MPBL MVP, Marcelino pumped in eight points in the last quarter, Manaytay contributed five, and Villarias added four for Nueva Ecija, which kept its poise when Davao clawed to within 58-66.

The Rice Vanguards quelled the rally with a 6-point cluster capped by a Marcelino fastbreak with 1 minute and 45 seconds left.

Marcelino finished with 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals; Villarias tallied 13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists; and Mer Jesper Ayaay 10 points plus 6 rebounds.

Manaytay provided support with 9 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals, and so did Robby Celiz with 8 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.

The Tigers fell to 1-1 as only Terrence Tumalip struck back with 16 points, 7 assists and 2 steals.

Mindoro blanked Paranaque in the last 4 minutes and 6 seconds to squeeze out a 68-58 victory in the nightcap.

Trailing 56-58, the Mindoro Tamaraws got the push from Joseph Sedurifa's two triples and Ethan Galang's 2 charities, plus a jumper in a closing 13-point spurt to check a four-game skid and improve to 2-5 under Coach Rodney Santos.

Bambam Gamalinda led the Tamaraws with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists, followed by Wendelino Comboy with 14 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists, and Galang with 11 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks.

Paranaque fell to 0-2 despite Alvin Capobres' 19-point, 12-rebound effort, Carl Brian Cruz's 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Ed Daquioag's 10 points plus 9 rebounds.

The Basilan Viva Portmasters trounced the Bulacan Kuyas, 102-80, in the opener.

Showing better cohesion, Basilan pulled away at 57-31 to break a two-game slide and climb to 2-4.

Omar Larupay paced the Portmasters with 20 points, 18 rebounds and 1 block and clinched best player honors over Gab Dagangon, who posted 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.

Other Portmasters who delivered were Adi Santos with 15 points and 11 rebounds, John Mahari with 15 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals, and James Tempra with 10 points and 7 rebounds.

Dominant off both boards, 71-34, the Portmasters poured 60 points in the paint against 28 for the Kuyas, who suffered their seventh straight defeat.

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